Phyllis Ann Flint died on Friday, May 27, 2022, at SSM St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison WI, resulting from the devastating aftermath of a stroke suffered at her home on April 13. She lived 85 years and 203 days.
She was born on November 5, 1936, to Reginald and Helen (Ebert) Campbell in Sparta, WI, the second of five children. As a girl growing up in rural Monroe County, she worked hard, excelled in school, and mastered playing the accordion. During those years, she also carried many family responsibilities as she cared for her mother who suffered serious health problems all the way through her death from cancer, and stepped up to care for her brothers. She went on to a lifetime of caring for others, as the best mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother that anyone could ever ask for. Professionally, she cared for others as a nurse for more than four decades, first as an LPN in various settings and then as an RN at the Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped. She cared deeply and well for her family, friends, neighbors, the world around her, and the future, especially for the next generations.
Phyllis married Ernest Butzler, from St. Mary’s Ridge, near Norwalk, on February 14, 1958. Shortly after, they moved to Lone Rock for a brief time, and then to Footville, where they went on to build a home and life together and raise their family of five children. They later divorced, and she married Eugene “Sy” Flint on November 15, 1980.
The lessons, ethics, and values of growing up during the Great Depression – duty, thrift, self-sufficiency, interdependence, making do, industry, perseverance, loyalty – stayed with her throughout her life and she imparted them to her children by her living example. She endured and overcame more hardships and heartbreak throughout her life than anyone could imagine, which served as a strength and inspiration to all who knew her. She took good care of everyone and everything that were hers, and was compassionate, tender-hearted, kind, gentle, and generous. There was always an extra place at her table. She was one of the longest-living cancer survivors that her doctors had ever seen. She led and lived a good life. She was lovely and amazing, although too humble to recognize that in herself. She appreciated the smallest of things, made the best of every circumstance, and took nothing for granted.
She held a deep, unfailing love for each and every one of her family members, and stayed close, supportive and actively part of their lives. She was proud of her loved ones and considered her family as the best treasure ever. She loved being with others, traveling, learning, music, dancing, sunny days, sharing a good meal, and flowers, and found beauty in most everything. She was always up for an adventure. She enjoyed using her creativity to make hundreds of unique and beautiful handmade greeting cards, which she sold and gifted to many over the years. She valued keeping in touch by writing letters and cards and saved all those that she received.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Wayne, Tom, and Mike; her former husbands; stepmother, Lilah Campbell; and many other dear family members and friends. She is survived by her children, Mary Wood, Mark (Betty) Butzler, Debra (JD) Cockrell, Dale (Cindy) Butzler, and Dan (Kate) Butzler; grandchildren, Katherine Wood (Michael Breska), Kelleen Wood, Aaron Butzler (Holly Brabbit), David Butzler (Jessa Fabrizius), Brittany (Adam) Knutson, Luke Butzler (Nichelle Palmer), Thomas Butzler, and Josie Butzler; great-grandchildren Jordan and Axel Knutson, Aubrey Butzler, and Wyatt Wood; brother and sister-in law, Charles “Tony” and Ann Campbell, and their children Patrick, Lori, Mary, Christine and Anthony, and their families; special cousin, Sandy (Al) Pfenning; life-long precious friends, Josephine and Lyle Kirking, Audrey Bersell, Jan Metzger and Carole Madden; and other relatives, friends and neighbors.
A special thanks to neighbors Nate and Kristin Beal and their children Lily and Clark, for looking after mom like part of their family.
A service honoring her life will be held on Friday, June 3, 2022 at the Newcomer Chapel on the Hill, 3008 Coon Island Road, Orfordville, WI; beginning at 11:00AM, with visitation an hour before. Her body will be laid to rest at Grove Cemetery, North Roherty Road, followed by a gathering to share memories and a meal at the Dale and Cindy Butzler home, 8124 West Mineral Point Road. All are welcome.
“May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26

Bless her everlasting spirit.