Phyllis E. La Joie
Phyllis LaJoie
Phyllis Evelyn Nelson Phillips LaJoie, 86 of Menomonie, formerly of Eau Claire, WI passed away Tuesday August 29, 2017 at The Neighbors of Dunn County in Menomonie. She was born January 6, 1931 in Eau Claire, WI to Gladys Mildred (Lufsky) and Ragnar Merius Nelson. She graduated from Eau Claire High School. Phyllis married Arnold Phillips in 1948 and four children were born of the marriage: Steven J., Menomonie; David M. (Mary L.), Wheeler; Jeanne B. Phillips, Wasilla, AK; and Daniel S. (Deborah), Palmer AK. Phyllis and Arnold were divorced.
Phyllis worked at Fingerhut Mfg. while living in Minnesota and led a colorful life having lived in Alaska seal hunting, commercial fishing and worked at Prudhoe Bay along with the cleanup of the Alaskan Exxon Valdez oil spill. She was featured in a book about the oil spill: SOUND TRUTH AND CORPORATE MYTH$ by Dr. Riki Ott; and traveled to Washington D.C. to testify against Exxon regarding the oil spill. Phyllis married “Buck” LaJoie and operated an A&W root beer stand in North Dakota. They later divorced. She lived in Hawaii for a number of years before returning to Wisconsin.
She is survived by her brother David (Val) Nelson, Elmwood, WI; sister-in-law Carol (Darrel) Borchardt, Winthrop, MN; seven grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Thomas, and sister Joyce (Herman) Schwartz. There will be no memorial service per her request. Condolences may be sent to David M. Phillips, N11175 670th St., Wheeler, WI 54772