Sylvia Pfaff Bryhn, 90, of Wausau, WI and formerly of Sparta died Sunday, July 20, 2008 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Mt. View Care Center, Wausau. She was born on January 31, 1918 in the Town of Farmington in La Crosse County, WI, the daughter of Roy and Ida (Huxsahl) Harper.  She graduated from Mindoro High School in 1935 and entered La Crosse State Teachers College. She obtained a rural teaching certificate and taught various La Crosse County rural schools for 11 years.

     She married Kermit Pfaff in 1946 and moved to the Cataract, WI area where they farmed for several years.  A daughter, Julie and son, Mark were born.  Sylvia loved cooking big family dinners, sewing, and working crossword puzzles.  She worked at the Wisconsin Child Center for 17 years, retiring in 1976.

     Their family moved into Sparta in 1962.  She became an active member of the St. John’s Evangelical Church Ladies Aid.

     In later years she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  They always appreciated her bottomless cookie jar.

     Kermit passed away in 1992.  Later Sylvia married a childhood sweetheart, Milo Bryhn of Glendive, Montana.  They lived in Sparta until failing health caused them to move near Julie in Wausau, WI.

    She is survived by her husband, Milo Bryhn; a daughter, Julie (Wayne) Kroeger of Wausau;  five grandchildren, Bryan Kroeger and Dan (Jenny) Kroeger of Wausau, Kristin (Leo) Hirsch, Kim Pfaff, and Matt Pfaff all of Sparta; three great grandchildren, Kinzi and Makenna Hirsch and Hanna Kroeger; a brother, Archie (Roberta) Harper of Melrose; a sister-in-law, Joyce Pfaff of Holmen; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

     She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Kermit Pfaff; a son, Mark Pfaff; a sister, Lois Schiller; and a granddaughter, Kara Pfaff.

     Sylvia will be remembered by many for her kind heart and unfailing sense of humor.

     Funeral services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Sparta, with Reverend Mark Wessel officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Cemetery.

     Friends may call at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta on Wednesday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.

     The Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.