Doris M. Filz

Doris M. Filz, age 91, of Appleton, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 12, 2018 due to a sudden illness. She was born on December 9, 1926 in Appleton to the late Charlie (Mamie) Langman.
She married the love of her life, Marvin “Phat” Filz, on August 16, 1947 in Appleton of St. Joseph Catholic Church. They were blessed with their two daughters, Debbie and Becky. Phat preceded her in death this past Christmas Eve 2017; they shared 70 years of marriage together.
Doris graduated from Appleton High School West in 1944. Doris worked as a cost accountant for Eagle Manufacturing for eight years. She eventually made the decision to stay home and raise her family. She was a life-long member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. In recent years she enjoyed watching the Brewers and Wisconsin Badger Basketball. Doris’s pride and joy in life were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her survivors are her two loving daughters, Debbie (Gary) Van Handel of Green Bay and Becky (Thomas) Thiel of Appleton; her grandchildren, Michael (Cecilia) Van Handel of Gurnee, IL, Michelle (Daniel) Owen of Madison, WI and Andrew “AJ” Van Handel of Madison, WI; her great-grandchildren, Jackson Van Handel, Joshua and Caleb Owen. Doris is further survived by her sister, Margaret (Jim) Winterfeldt; her nieces and nephews, Rodney Langman, Stacy Kennelly, Scott Winterfeldt. Doris also leaves behind many other family members and friends too numerous to list but never forgotten.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Phat; her brother, Donald Langman and many other dear relatives.
The Funeral Liturgy will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, 410 W. Lawrence Street in Appleton. Visitation will be held at church on Saturday starting at 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service with Fr. Jim Leary, O.F.M. officiating. Doris will be laid to rest next to her husband at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Appleton. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Doris’s name can be sent to The Arthritis Foundation or St. Joseph Catholic Church. Online condolences can be shared at www.wichmannfuneralhome.com.
Doris’s family would like to thank Dr. Kagen and his staff for the compassionate care given to Doris throughout the years. Her family would also like to thank the staff of both the Affinity Clinics and St. Elizabeth Hospital for the wonderful care given to Doris and her family.