Phyllis R. Murphy, age 93, of Appleton, passed away January 16, 2024. She was born February 17, 1930, the middle child of Louis and Leona (Reinhardt) Van Hulle in Oconto, Wisconsin.  She attended Elm Grove Grade School, a rural two-room school, going on to Oconto High School to graduate salutatorian of the class of 1947.

Phyllis worked for the Oconto office of the Marinette Eagle-Star newspaper. She married Thomas J. Murphy on February 3, 1951, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Oconto, Bishop John B. Grellinger officiating. It was a double wedding with her sister, Mary LaVerne and Omer Jones.

Tom and Phyllis moved to Appleton where they have resided since. Phyllis worked for Home Mutual Insurance Company, before becoming a stay-at-home mom for two foster children, then three of their own. In later years, she was employed by the Appleton School System.

Phyllis is a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, where she did volunteer work. Other volunteer activities included Hospice, St. Vincent DePaul and the Salvatorian Missions. She was a dedicated blood donor with 96 pints donated.  She enjoyed playing bridge and sheepshead, reading, traveling and attending Elderhostels.

Her survivors include her three children, Kitty Murphy (Peter Baker) of Sauk City, Mary Beth (Craig) Burow of Appleton and Dan (Lisa) Murphy of Hortonville. Seven grandchildren, Elona (Andy) Bartnick, Willow (Dan) Schulenburg, Savannah, Mitchell and Laura Burow, and Tom and Sarah Murphy. Four great-grandchildren, Parker and Elise Bartnick and Natalie and Jack Schulenburg.

She is also survived by siblings Mary LaVerne Jones, Dick (Barbara) Van Hulle and Glenn (Marcia) Van Hulle, along with many "favorite" nieces and nephews. Special people in her life include Bob and Nancy Bekx and their children Michael and Abigail.

She is preceded in death by her husband Tom, brother Norman Van Hulle and his wife Jeanette, two sisters, Dolores Eparvier and Patricia Van Hulle Ponto and her husband Vernon, and brother-in-law Omer Jones.

A funeral mass for Phyllis will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, January 26, 2024 at ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH, 500 W Marquette Street, Appleton with Fr. James Jugenheimer officiating.  Friends may visit from 9:30 a.m. until the service.  Interment will take place at Oconto Catholic Cemetery in the spring.  A live stream of Phyllis's service may be accessed by click or entering the following link: https://stpiusappleton.org/livestream-masses