Phillip Bernard Kullmann

Phillip Bernard Kullmann, 79, of Waunakee, WI, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 8, 2023, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison from heart failure.

Phil was born in 1943 in Milwaukee, WI to Franklyn and Elizabeth Kullmann. He graduated from Don Bosco High School in 1961, attended Milwaukee Area Technical College, and served in the Army Reserves. Phil had an incredible work ethic and held a 44-year career as a sales manager and salesperson with Jacobus Petroleum until he retired in 2008. He moved his family from Milwaukee to Janesville in 1979, where he lived until moving to Waunakee in 2022. 

Phil served his community through involvement with the Janesville Lions Club and Little League Baseball. He was a dedicated member of St. Williams Parish where he ushered, was a Eucharistic minister, and religious education instructor.  

Phil loved sports and the outdoors. He was a Packers, Brewers, and Marquette Basketball fanatic, and loved any sport his grandchildren were participating in.  In fact, he made it a priority to attend every single sporting event he could for his kids and grandkids rain or shine. He was not only a spectator, but played various sports throughout his life, such as basketball, racquetball, baseball, and softball. He especially loved playing golf with his wife, Gloria, and his golf buddies where he had the opportunity to entertain everyone with his sense of humor always taking the opportunity to try out a new joke.

Phil met the love of his life, Gloria (Steck), in the fall of 1963 and were married for 57 years. Family was Phil’s number one priority and taking memorable “Griswold-like” vacations in the family station wagon brought him so much joy.  Many of these trips with his family involved camping around Wisconsin and throughout the county in their pop-up camper, even bringing the family dog along.  

They progressed from camping to a summer residence (aka “the trailer”) that was shared with his brother Kevin and his family near Castle Rock Lake.  He had so many laughs with family and friends over Captain and Cokes, card games on the porch, fishing, and pontoon boat rides. 

Since retirement, Phil and Gloria enjoyed spending part of their time in Arizona and Florida to escape Wisconsin winters. Retirement, curiosity, and sense of adventure allowed him and Gloria to travel to Honduras and Guatemala, Belize, and one special winter in Costa Rica with Gloria’s sisters. 

Phil will be remembered by everyone who met him for his kind, compassionate, generous and caring demeanor and how he showed up for people when they needed him. Recent comments shared with the family are: “he was genuinely curious about people and interested in what you had to say”, “the world is minus a loving soul”, “so easy to talk to and always felt like he really cared”, “such a kindhearted man”, “always there with a warm hug and beautiful smile.”  He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. 

Phil was predeceased by his parents, brothers Jim and Kevin Kullmann, and his grandson Cade Reddington. He is survived by his wife, Gloria, his three children Christine Caple (husband Mike), Michelle Kullmann (fiancé Peter Schaubroeck), Craig Kullmann (wife Jennifer Podkul); five grandchildren, Alyvia Caple, Leah Caple, Ross Reddington, Sienna Kullmann, and Louisa Kullmann; brother Patrick (wife Diane); Sister in Law Michele Kullmann and nieces and nephews, Jay, Kris, Angela, Brenda and Jenny.

Services will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Waunakee, on May 13, 2023. Visitation will be from 9:30-11:00 am, and funeral mass at 11:00 am. 

Phil your light will always shine upon us. We will love you forever.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home

5785 Hwy Q

Waunakee, WI