Phyllis Marie (nee VanGoethen) Nickchen

Phyllis Marie (nee VanGoethen) Nickchen, (November 13, 1941 to November 11, 2023) joined God’s Angels just shy of her 82nd birthday after a valiant battle with leukemia.

Born to Cyril and Helen (nee Chervinko) VanGoethen in Berwyn, Ill., and raised “Up North” in her beloved Minocqua, Phyllis graduated from Lakeland High School and earned a BS in physical therapy from Marquette University.

Phyllis lived and worked a life of service. Her 40 plus year, varied career as PT #106 in Wisconsin, spanned teaching at the Medical College of Wisconsin and MATC, sports medicine, rehab, and a focus in elderly care. She worked alongside surgeons and doctors in private practice nursing homes such as Tudor Oaks, Heritage Square and wellness clinics.

Among her pastimes, Phyllis loved gardening, outdoor activities, America and Mother Earth. She was a long-time volunteer, Human Concerns Committee Chair at St. Mary Church, and a MU Alumni Association Secretary. She spent 20 plus years as a Youth 4H leader in Milwaukee County and founded the Whitnall Lucky Charms 4H Club. She also ran multiple volunteer PT/exercise groups over the years.

Above all, Phyllis was dedicated to God through the Catholic Church and Schoenstatt Movement. Her pride and joy was being founder/director/president, since 1985, of the nonprofit Southside Pregnancy Help Center and Love Life Library, adjunct.

She was preceded in death by Gordon, her husband of 55 years, and is survived by her four children: Suzanne, Julie (Chris), John, and Dan (Meg); both siblings: Dianna and Phillip; and nine grandchildren.

Funeral Mass was held in December 2023, at St. Mary, Hales Corners. Burial will be Summer 2024 in the VanGoethen family plot at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Woodruff.