Phyllis M. Meister

Phyllis M. Meister age 100 of Plain passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison while surrounded by her family.  She was born on July 26,1925 in Gillingham, Richland County, Wisconsin to William H. Johnson and Mary Croninger.  She was eighth child of their nine children. She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1942. On April 11th, 1947, she married Louis Bindl, of Plain, Wisconsin.  Her wedding dress was made from a German parachute that Louis brought home with him after serving in World War II. Her wedding dress can be seen on display at Pioneer Village in Reedsburg.  Together, Phyllis and Louis had a son, James Eugene Bindl, and raised him on their farm outside of Plain.  On December 26, 1961, Louis passed away unexpectedly. At that time, martial property laws often left widows without full ownership of the family farm. She worked tirelessly, with the help of family members and kind neighbors to keep their small farm running.  Her strength and determination allowed her to persevere as a single mother and continue raising her son there. 

In time, Phyllis found love again with Anthony “Bud” Meister, one of the kind neighbors who helped support her along the way.  They were married on April 20,1968 and continued farming together until Bud’s retirement in 1988.  

After Bud passed away on December 25, 2016, Phyllis remained determined to live independently in the farmhouse she had fought so hard to keep all those years ago.  A few years later, she moved just up the road to live with her son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Holly, where she could be more easily cared for while still remaining close to the house she loved.  She was deeply honored when her granddaughter, Hope and partner Billy moved into her beloved old farmhouse.

While the family farm was huge part of her life, Phyllis also worked for Peck’s Feed & Grain as an office manager for more than 40 years.  She served as Treasurer for Bear Creek Township for several years. Her faith was very important to her, and she was an active member of the Sandusky United Methodist Church in Hillpoint for over 60 years.

Phyllis was one of the most thoughtful and caring people you could ever meet. She had an impeccable memory, especially for her age. If you ever gave her a gift, she carefully found a special place for it in her home and loved to reminisce about the person who gave it to her and what it meant to her.  One of her many hobbies was sewing and she loved to sew photo album covers.  If you invited her to a wedding or a graduation party in the 1990s, you likely have one she made!

As the youngest daughter in a large family, she took great pride in helping her older siblings care for their children and she formed unbreakable bonds with her many nieces and nephews, who affectionately called her Aunt Phyl. She loved traveling across the country to them and always looked forward to the annual Johnson/Croninger reunion, where she could spend time with her extended family. 

She is survived by her son, Jim (Holly) Bindl, her grandchildren Jason (Nikki) Bindl, Hope (Billy Young) White, Heather (Richard) Ramos, her great grandchildren Sebastian White, Presley Ramos, Arianna Ramos, Joseph, Allisa Scales and Brinna Bindl.  She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings: William C (Hazel Lehmann) Johnson, Floyd (Mildred Nimrocks) Johnson, Eula (Milo) Flamme, Burl (Violet Dray) Johnson, Guy (Hazel Davis) Johnson, Ruby (Glenn) Shelter, Geneva (Carl) Olson, and Clinton (Evelyn Wilson) Johnson, her first husband, Louis Bindl, and his siblings: Adela (Milo) Johnson, Elsie Bindl, Norbert (Marian Pope) Bindl, Theordore Bindl (infant), Cletus (Billie) Bindl and Edward Bindl, her second husband, Anthony Meister, his parents, Anton and Catherine (Walsh) Meister and his siblings: Marie Meister (infant), Richard Meister (Lorraine Silberman), and Corneal (Mary) Meister. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. at the Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home in Spring Green, WI.  Pastor Jason McDonough will officiate with burial in the Sextonville Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Thursday at the funeral home from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service at 11:00 A.M.   Online condolences available at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com  The Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.