Phyllis J. Habeck, 87

Phyllis J. Habeck, born Jan. 16, 1933, passed away recently.

Born in LaCrosse, Wis., she grew up there and in Wausau, Wis., where she graduated from high school. While attending UW-Stevens Point, she met Roy Habeck, whom she married on Aug. 29, 1953.

Shortly after marriage, 20-year-old Phyllis began teaching at Hancock, Wis., Elementary School. The couple moved to Adams, Wis., from 1957 to 1960. Part of that time, Phyllis served as an elementary school principal. After moving to New Glarus, Wis., in 1960, Phyllis taught grade school and junior high classes, as well as special education students, until 1968.

The couple moved to Woodstock, Ill., where Phyllis volunteered for the local hospital auxiliary and the high school, spending much time on variable scheduling for students, along with earning a master’s degree at Northern Illinois University.

Beginning in 1978, she moved to Shawano Lake and began counseling students at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, Wis. After 18 years of work there, she served as a volunteer board member for another 17 years, holding offices on the board. She founded two scholarships at that school, along with endowments, to finance education majors at UW-Stevens Point and UW-Madison. She and Roy also sponsored a scholarship with the Shawano Dollars for Scholars fund.

Phyllis worked part time at the Shawano City County Library and volunteered for the Navarino Nature Center, town of Wescott cemetery association, St. James and St. Jakobi Lutheran churches in Shawano. Phyllis helped the Shawano County Humane Society Inc. and adopted dogs Tip and Lucky from that facility. After completing her education career, Phyllis became active in the Shawano County Republican Party. She and Roy received the Eighth Congressional District volunteers of the year award. She served as a poll worker for over a decade. 

Phyllis was talented in knitting, winning about a dozen Best of Show purple ribbons at the Shawano County Fair for her afghans, along with other ribbons for photography and flowers. Many afghans were customized for wedding couples and even a graduation from the U.S. Army Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

Phyllis was a Green Bay Packers owner and fan who was at the Super Bowl XXXI victory over the Patriots. She also followed the UW-Stevens Point Pointers, Wisconsin Badgers, and Milwaukee Brewers. She also enjoyed open-water fishing, reading, and jigsaw puzzles.

Phyllis was predeceased by her parents, Earl and Marjorie Hazelwood; her brothers, Don and Bill. Her sister, Ann Lydon, and twin brother, Philip Hazelwood, survive. She survived Roy’s siblings, Agnes Smolarek, Milton Habeck, Harold Habeck, Ralph Habeck, and Ruben Habeck.

Phyllis is also survived by her son, retired Judge James R. Habeck (Penny) of Shawano, and daughter Jean Habeck, a teacher in Denver, Colorado. Multiple nieces and nephews survive.

Because of Covid virus regulations, a delayed celebration of life is being planned.