Phyllis Lorraine (Ekblad) Patnou of Rockford passed to her eternal joy on August 1, 2019 at Liberty Village in Freeport. Phyllis was born on October 1, 1932 in Cumberland, WI, to Raymond Ekblad and Everista Rust Ekblad. Phyllis came to Rockford in 1942, was confirmed in 1946 at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church and gradutated with honors from West Sr. High School in 1950. She married Donald Vernon Patnou in 1952. She was employed part-time at her mother and step-father's (Bill Cardey) dry cleaning business, then was a wonderful full-time homemaking mother for 10 years. Phyllis was later employed as an Executive Secretary at Rockford Photo-Colorcraft Corporation, retiring in 1992 after 25 years. Phyllis was a prolific wrtier, with many interests and enjoyed sharing her writings near and far in her retirement years. Her published and nonpublished writings are dedicated to all her loved ones. Music appreciation through the Holy Spirits leading kept her heart singing and her life joyful in way that meant most to her. Surviviors include her children Loraine (John) Miatke, Donna Johnson and Dave (Mai) Patnou; brothers Mark Ekblad and Rev. Steven (Carol) Ekblad; grandchildren Tom (Katie) Eickman, Matt (Erin) Eickman, Myra (Jason) Doss, Casey Twomey, Erica (James) Monroe and Anthony Miatke and fiancé Savannah; several great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and several long-time friends. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents and husband Don.
Service to celebrate Phyllis' life will be 10:00 am on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Advantage Funeral Home 7000 West State Street in Rockford; visitation for Phyllis will be from 9:00 am until 10:00 am on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Willwood Cemetery.
