Phyllis Willink 02/12/2014

Phyllis Fae Hartwick Willink, 84, of Baldwin died on February 12, 2014 at Baldwin Area Medical Center.  Phyllis was born April 27, 1929 in Buffalo City, Wisconsin, the third child of Emma (Becker) and Hubert Hartwick.  She moved with her parents to a farm northwest of Roberts in 1935.  Phyllis graduated from Roberts High School in 1946.  After graduation, she worked as a secretary for Montgomery Ward Co. in St. Paul, MN, and for the St. Croix County Agricultural, Home and 4-H agent in Baldwin.  Phyllis married Wayne Willink on October 3, 1947 at Baldwin Evangelical Lutheran Church.  They moved to the Willink farm north of Baldwin where they farmed for 35 years.  There they raised three daughters- Judy, Joan and Jean.  Phyllis was active in the 4-H program: she was a project leader for the Lone Pine 4-H club for 16 years.  She was proud of the fact that her family was instrumental in developing the Dog Project for St. Croix County.  She was on the County and state 4-H Horse Board, and also worked with the county horse bowl team.  She was St. Croix County 4-H treasurer for 6 years.  Phyllis was an active member of the Happy Valley Homemakers for 35 years.  She also was a member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church for over sixty years where she enjoyed her ladies’ circle and teaching Sunday school and Bible school.  Phyllis was the first female deacon of her church, and was humbled by this honor.  A lover of horses, Phyllis was a charter member of the St. Croix Riders Saddle Club.  She participated in their competitive horse drill team at the Minnesota State Fair for many years, riding her strawberry roan “Ginger”.  She was designated as an honorary member of the club in recent years.  She always enjoyed attending horse shows and showing her palomino mare Peggy Melodie.  Phyllis loved the Christmas holiday with much decorating and baking.  Her excellent baking skills drew national attention when one of her recipes won the American Profile Recipe Contest in 2007, and was featured in their holiday cookbook.  She was also an avid gardener and grower of award-winning flowers, and exhibited at the St. Croix County fair for many years.  Phyllis loved her children and grandchildren, and always wished she could have lived closer to them.  She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Genevieve Schwalen Allison and brother, Morris Hartwick.  Phyllis will be greatly missed by Wayne, her husband of 67 years; daughters, Judy Willink, Joan (Tom) Dorsey, Jean (Craig) Sandmire; grandchildren, Dena (Andy) Baule, Dyan (Andy) Lasar, Bryan Dorsey, Amanda Sandmire, Austin Sandmire; great grandson, George Lasar; brother, Dennis Hartwick; sister-in-law, Georgia Fern; along with numerous relatives and friends.  A funeral service was held Monday, February 17, 2014 at 11:00 am at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Baldwin.  Visitation was held Sunday, February 16, 2014 from 4:00-7:00 pm at Bakken-Young Funeral Home in Baldwin and also Monday from 10-11 am at church.  Interment was in Baldwin Cemetery.  Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services of Baldwin.