Phyllis A. Stap, 97, Fort Collins, Colo.

Services for Phyllis A. Stap were held Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in May City. Pastor Richard Milbrandt officiated.

Casket bearers were Richard Rudlaff, Rodney Boernsen, Curt Van Engen, Steve Wingate, Michael Wingate and Maurice Heilman. Honorary casket bearers were Tyler Stap, Don Rasmussen, Russell Holst and David Lorch. Interment was in Harrison Township Cemetery near May City. Warner Funeral Home in Spencer assisted with the arrangements.

Phyllis A. Stap took her Savior’s hand on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, and peacefully left this earth to join her heavenly family. Her life of 97 years had a foundation based on her faith and her devotion to family and friends. Her determination, optimistic outlook and witty banter will be greatly missed by all who loved and enjoyed her company.

F. William Boernsen and Mary (Recher) Boernsen welcomed their first daughter on April 23, 1925 on the family farm near May City. She was baptized, confirmed and later married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in May City. She attended country school through the eighth grade and high school at Excelsior High School and later Hartley High School. She was a member of the 1944 Hartley girls’ basketball team that competed in the Iowa State Girls’ Basketball Tournament in Des Moines. The determined guard was recognized for her athletic talent and was named to an all-state team. After high school Phyllis attended Iowa State Teacher’s College and was awarded her teaching certificate. She taught country school for four years in Allison and Harrison townships in northwest Iowa.

Phyllis married World War II veteran William Stap on Dec. 28, 1947, and together they farmed in the May City area and raised their family of four children. In addition to being a farmer’s wife, Phyllis worked at the Hartley Community Hospital for 25 years as a nurse’s aide and also as a ward clerk. She was an active member of St. John’s Ladies Aid, served on various committees and taught Sunday and vacation bible schools. In their retirement Bill and Phyllis moved to May City and enjoyed “city life” and traveling the western United States. After 44 years of marriage, Phyllis said good-bye to Bill, her best “buddy” and soul mate on Sept. 12, 1992. Phyllis continued to live and enjoy her May City home and attended various community events with special friend Bill Gruhn.

When her health started to decline, it became necessary to move her closer to her children. Phyllis moved into the Good Samaritan Retirement Village in Fort Collins, Colo. in January 2014 and was located only a mile away from daughter Linda, her husband Steve and their family. Never having lived more than a 20-mile radius from her birthplace, Phyllis made the adjustment to her new surroundings. She made new friends with her fellow residents and the Good Sam staff, who provided support and encouragement. Phyllis became an avid Bingo player and would claim a stuffed animal as her prize, so much so that her apartment was wall-to-wall stuffed animals. Phyllis’ menagerie of over 100 stuffed animals was donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Colorado for Christmas 2021 presents.

Due to her declining health, Phyllis entered hospice care on Feb. 16, 2022. She was doing so well and was going to be released from hospice care when she unexpectedly developed health issues on Sunday and peacefully passed away on Monday, Oct. 10.

Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters: Linda and husband, Steve Wingate, of Fort Collins, Colo.; and Lori and husband Gary Visintainer, of Craig, Colo.; grandchildren: Michael Wingate and partner Veronica Perez, of Fort Collins; Laura Wingate and partner Kyle Lysek, of Denver, Colo.; Heather Stap, of Melbourne, Fla.; and Tyler Stap, of Kalispell, Mont.; and six great-grandchildren. Phyllis will also be fondly remembered by nephews, nieces and other relatives, friends and the May City community.