Phyllis M. TeBeest

Phyllis Mae (Heideman) TeBeest, age 97, of Waupun, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 12, 2026 at Liberty Village Assisted Living in Tomah, Wisconsin, going on to be with her heavenly family.

Phyllis was born on May 6, 1928, in Waupun, Wisconsin, to Herman and Cora (Garrison) Heideman. She was one of three children. Phyllis attended Waupun High School and graduated in 1946.

Phyllis and Merlin met in Sunday school. The Lord brought Phyllis and Merlin W. TeBeest together in marriage on June 11, 1948, and they resided on the family farm. They enjoyed 33 wonderful years together until Merlin passed away on March 26, 1982, after a six-month illness. They adopted and raised three children, Richard, Gretchen, and Peggy, in the Fox Lake/Waupun area. During her life, in addition to raising her children and helping on the farm, Phyllis worked for Kolpin Manufacturing in Fox Lake for 22 years as an office manager.

Phyllis was an active member of the Waupun community. She was a charter member of Trinity Reformed Church in Waupun, where she enjoyed being involved in many church functions. She served as a third-grade Sunday school teacher for over 20 years and enjoyed sharing her passion for music by singing in the church choir. She enjoyed music so much, she purchased a set of Children’s Hand Bells for the church, which were enjoyed even by the adults. She served as secretary for the Women’s Guild, did annual audits for the church, and was treasurer for the church scholarship fund, along with many other church activities.

Phyllis also volunteered for many organizations, including the Waupun Hospital Auxiliary, where she worked in the gift shop and as a front desk volunteer, tested lifelines, helped at health fairs and bake sales, served as gift shop treasurer, and was a member of the scholarship fund. She was a member of the Waupun AARP Chapter #3939 and received the 1999 Award for Outstanding Service to the Community. Phyllis helped with blood drives, packed boxes for the food pantry, delivered meals on wheels, and worked at the Marsh Haven Nature Center.

In her free time, Phyllis enjoyed reading, gardening, cooking, canning, knitting, sewing, quilting, traveling, and serving her community.

After her husband Merlin passed away and after living in Waupun and serving her community for 29 years, she moved closer to her daughter, Gretchen (Daniel) in Tomah in June of 2011. She became active with the community quilt group called the “Peacemakers,” where she completed 200 lap-top quilts that were donated to various organizations, including the homeless, fire victims, veterans, children, and many others. She also attended Rebecca’s Circle at the United Methodist Church and made many special friends over the years. Moving to the Tomah area allowed her to spend more time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren during many family gatherings, which always meant a lot to her.

In March of 2021, at age 93, Phyllis moved to Liberty Village Assisted Living.

Phyllis is survived by one son, Richard TeBeest of Beaver Dam; two daughters, Gretchen (Daniel) Jilek of Tomah and Peggy (William) Paape of Shiloh, Illinois; eight grandchildren, Gaia (Kristen Whitson) Lenz of Mauston, Daniel (Jennifer) Lenz of LaCrosse, Paige (Brian) Jilek-Peters of Mauston, Chloe (Brody) Jilek-Knaak of Oconomowoc, Kandice (Charles) Paape-Boettcher of Rochester, MN, Katelynn (Robert) Paape-Herther of O’Fallon, IL, Kassandra (fiance, Mark Schorfheide) Paape of Illinois, and Kirsten Paape of Illinois; thirteen great-grandchildren, Savannah, Sawyer, Addison, Olivia, Brady, Ella, Lindsay, Beau, Violet, Emma, Henry, Madalynn, and William; and is further survived by many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Merlin; her parents, Herman and Cora Heideman; brother, WIllard Heideman; sister and brother-in-law Helen and Garret Yunto; father- and mother-in-law, William and Maggie TeBeest; brother- and sister-in law, Gordon and Esther TeBeest; sister- and brother-in-law, Mae and Robert Olsen; and other relatives.

The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to those who cared for Phyllis over the past several years at Liberty Village, especially the staff at Tomah Hospice Center in Tomah for their outstanding and loving care and kindness to Phyllis and her family.

Funeral services for Phyllis will be held at the Werner Funeral Home in Waupun on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 10:30 a.m., with Pastor Charles (CJ) Boettcher, grandson, officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Mound Cemetery. Friends and relatives may call on the family at the funeral home on the day of service from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Tomah Hospice Care, 601 Gopher Dr, Tomah, WI 54660.