Resident of the Month

Phyllis Riehle

Phyllis Riehle was the first-born child to John and Emma Novak on September 12, 1936. They lived on a farm between Spillville and Fort Atkinson. John, Norma Jean (Tammy), David and Joann later joined the family. She attended school at Saint Wenceslaus and graduated from Calmar High School. She worked for one year at Buchheit Produce. She then married Julius Riehle who was a farmer. They had five boys: David, Michael, Richard, James and Ronald.  Michael died when he was 31 of a brain tumor. Phyllis worked hard on the farm and especially remembers baling a lot of hay. Phyllis started driving school bus while living on the farm and drove for 29 years. She also worked at the Old-World Inn for one summer.  

Phyllis and Julius were married for 22 ½ years when he died of a heart attack. Their youngest son was 8 years old at the time.  Later Phyllis married Alvin Mashek and they lived in Spillville. One year they went to Canada to visit her sister and they also traveled to South Dakota.

With a laugh Phyllis recalls she went on a cruise with her friend Becky Neuzil to Key West, Cozumel, Belize, Grand Caymen and several other ports for a week. After 15 years of marriage, Alvin passed away. Phyllis lived in Spillville for 20 years before coming to Wellington on her birthday a year ago. Congratulations Phyllis on being resident of the month and we are glad you are part of the Wellington family!