Phyllis J. Distelhorst 1921 - 2006

DISTELHORST, REMMER, MCCLARENCE

Posted By: Deb (email)
Date: 1/3/2015 at 10:35:05

Phyllis J. Distelhorst, 85, of Burlington, died on Thursday, July 20, 2006, at Prairie Ridge Care and Rehabilitation in Mediapolis. The cause of death was metastatic renal cancer.

Born on February 29, 1921, near Burlington, she was the daughter of Robert E. and Fanny Remmer McClaren. She attended local schools and, after graduating from Burlington High School in 1939, worked as a bookkeeper, primarily at Benner Tea Company. On June 26, 1944, she married Milton H. Distelhorst, and the couple raised three children on their farm north of Burlington in Jackson Township. Mr. Distelhorst died in 1993.

Mrs. Distelhorst was active for decades in many local organizations, including 4-H, the Des Moines County Welfare Board, Neighborhood Watch, R.S.V.P. and the Silver Singers, and Trinity Lutheran Church.

Survivors include a sister, Beth McClaren Zellem of Yucaipa, California; one son, David Distelhorst of Warwick, NY; her daughter, Christina Ann Distelhorst of New York, NY; and her older son's widow, Dana J. Distelhorst of O'Fallon, Illinois. She also leaves behind five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a sister who died in childhood, Ila Mae McClaren; her brother, L. Robert McClaren; her son, Thomas E. Distelhorst, and Paul A. Bischoff, the companion of her later years, both of whom died in 2005.

Pastor Erick Swanson will officiate, with burial in Burlington Memorial Park Cemetery.