Phyllis "Cricket" Lorrain Kretschmer

Phyllis "Cricket" Lorrain Kretschmer, age 90, passed away on May 18, 2026. 

Cricket was born in Richland Center, WI to the late Benjamin and Lelah (Harris) Murphy on February 17, 1936. Cricket married Joe Kretschmer on December 15, 1985.

Cricket loved to go square or round dancing with Joe or her friends. She enjoyed sewing, reading and camping with her family. She was an amazing cook and would bake often for her family or her church congregation at the Christ United Methodist Church in Merrill. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Lelah Murphy; brother, Bill Murphy; daughter, Cynthia Booth; and step-daughters, Mae Kretschmer and Gloria Gorger.

Cricket is survived by her husband Joe; daughters, Kathleen (Thomas) Hammack and Gail (Timothy) Thompson; step-son, Joseph Kretschmer; step-daughter, Amy Monroe; many grandchildren, many many great-grandchildren, and countless other family and friends. 

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral Home, 301 S Eagle Dr, Merrill, WI 54452, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Following Cricket's wishes a small prayer service will be held at the end of visitation at 1:00 P.M.