Phyllis Joyce Waag

Phyllis Joyce Waag, 81, of Madera passed away on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 following a brief illness. Phyllis was born in Troy, Ohio to Floyd and Esther Denlinger where she spent her early years earning her Bachelor’s Degree at Ohio University.

She later moved to California where she taught at Kerman High School for a time before coming to Madera in 1960 where she accepted a position at Madera High School as a Women’s Physical Education Teacher. Her career in education spanned 41 years before retiring. While at Madera High School, she was the Girls Tennis Coach and Girls Track Coach. She spent her free time as a volunteer leader for Madera Co. 4-H and was a Founding Member of the Friends of The Madera Future Farmers of America (FFA). Anyone could always find her at the county fairs watching her grandchildren show livestock and helping any way she could.

In retirement, Phyllis and her husband, Jerry, traveled extensively throughout the United States. She was always an avid gardener and spent summers at their family cabin at Beasore Meadows.
Phyllis married Jerry Waag in June of 1961. They have been married 58 years making Madera their home. In addition to her parents, Phyllis was preceded in death by a daughter Kim Marie Waag in 1978 and by a brother Ellis Denlinger.

Phyllis is survived by her husband Jerry Waag, by her children Laurie Fringer and her husband Art, and Craig Waag and his wife Lisa, all of Madera, and Terri Waag of Augusta, Michigan. She is the grandmother of Mikaela, Alexis and, Regan Fringer, and Trevor, Samantha, Bella and Malia Waag.

Visitation will be on Thursday, November 21, 2019 from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Jay Chapel.

A funeral service will be on Friday, November 22, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Jay Chapel. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Remembrances may be made to the Madera County 4H Council, 328 South Madera Avenue, Madera, California 93637 or donor’s favorite charity.