Phillis Wonsewicz, 91, a long-term Aberdeen resident, passed away peacefully Friday morning, Sept. 28, 2018, at Westhaven Villa Assisted Living.

Phillis was born on Oct. 30, 1926, in Ironwood, Mich., to Arvid and Esther Anderson (Mattson). She was the oldest of four siblings, two brothers (Fred and Richard) and two sisters (Pat and Mary Anne). The family later moved to Milwaukee, Wisc., where she would graduate from Washington High School.

In her younger years, Phillis enjoyed ice skating, reading and going to the movie theater. Before she was married, Phillis worked at Gimbals department store during the holidays in sales and during the war, worked as a telephone operator.

Phillis married Matthew “Matt” Eliasson of Anvil, Mich., on June 2, 1945. After the oldest daughter (Carol) was born, they relocated to Aberdeen, Wash., where they would have three more girls (Mary, Linda and Annette) and one son (John). They later divorced. Phillis later married Henry Wonsewicz of Aberdeen. Matt passed away in 1992, Henry passed away in 1991 and Phillis never remarried.

During her adult years, Phillis enjoyed playing the piano, reading non-fiction and especially biographies of well- known persons.

Phillis worked as a nurses’ aid at Pacific Care Center for 20 years. She was a compassionate caregiver and won nursing assistant of the year while working at the center.

Phillis was very proud of her five grandchildren, (Matthew Anderson (Mika) of Las Vegas, Nev.; Maija Anderson-Pulford (Ernest) of Seattle, Wash.; Julie Day (David) of Hoquiam, Wash.; Stacie Standerfer (Lee) of Graham, Wash.; Megan Monson (Michael) of Gig Harbor, Wash.; three of the five received nursing degrees. Phillis is survived by two of her daughters, Mary Anderson (Charles) of Oracle, Ariz.; Linda Leech (Vince) of Boise, Idaho; and one son, John Eliasson (Maggie) of Olympia, Wash. Phillis is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, James and Jena Wakefield, Maggie and Emma Pulford, Milana Anderson, and Jack and Ellie Standerfer. She was tickled to have twin great-grand babies born this June.

The family would like to especially thank the staff at Westhaven Villa, Harbor Home Health and Hospice, and Catholic Community Services. Your care, attention and kindness was very appreciated!

A funeral service will take place at Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018, at 2 p.m. Burial to follow at Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen, Wash.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Wash.