PHILLIPS, Edna Mae (1936-2021)

PHILLIPS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 1/28/2021 at 13:10:28

Edna Mae Phillips
(November 1, 1936 – January 7, 2021)

IDA GROVE – Private services for Edna Mae Phillips, 84, of rural Ida Grove were held Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ida Grove, Rev. Richard D. Ball officiating and burial in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Ida Grove. Visitation was at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ida Grove; Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home in Ida Grove was in charge of arrangements. Edna died Jan. 7, 2021, at her Ida Grove home, with family by her side, as a result of a long, courageous battle with cancer. Edna, daughter of Raymond and Edna (Hamann) Bumann, was born Nov. 1, 1936, at Hartley Memorial Hospital in Battle Creek.
She grew up on a farm south of Ida Grove, was a student at Grant #5 Country School until eighth grade and graduated from Ida Grove High School in 1955. Edna was a member of Grant Girls 4-H Club for nine years. She was one of the top six homecoming attendants her senior year. High school is where she met the love of her life, Thomas J. Phillips. In 1955, Edna and Tom married, and this union was blessed with 14 children. They resided in Holstein for several years before moving in 1964 to their current family farm, south of Ida Grove. Edna was an active member of Sacred Heart Parish in Ida Grove, where she taught CCD classes for 13 years and was a member of the Rosary Society. She served as lector, eucharistic minister and usher. Edna worked as a produce and deli manager for 14 years, beginning in 1983, for John’s Super Valu, Joyce’s Foodland and then Ida Grove Food Pride.
After retirement, at the age of 80 and the year of Edna and Tom’s 60th wedding anniversary, she was approached by a producer from New York City about taking part in a country cooking show, called “My Grandmother’s Ravioli.” The name of her hour-long segment was called “If I Cook It, He Will Come,” hosted by Mo Rocca. She was a natural in front of the camera and, on occasion, would be noticed by someone who had watched the show.
Edna is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Tom Phillips of Ida Grove; and nine sons and five daughters: Teresa (Dan) Koch of Council Bluffs, Tim (Julie) Phillips of Ida Grove, Shari (Scott) Simmons of Danbury, Lori (Mark) Arkfeld of Defiance, Tom Phillips Jr. of Ida Grove, Alan (Lisa) Phillips of Leavenworth, Kan., Curt (Kristal) Phillips of Holstein, Christine (Keith) Krager, Patrick (Kriss) Phillips, Steve (Lori) Phillips and Mary (Doug) Clough, all of Ida Grove, Craig (Stacy) Phillips of Sioux City, John (Kristy) Phillips of North Liberty and Andrew (Nikki) Phillips of Brooklyn. She also leaves behind 44 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; four sisters: Mildred Fleenor, Lois Skinner, Carol Clausen and Jeannette Messer; a brother, Roger Bumann; numerous nieces and nephews; and cousins. Edna was preceded in death by a grandson, Austin Krager; a granddaughter, Melissa Simmons; a great-grandson, Joseph Behrendsen; four brothers: Earl Bumann, Alvin Bumann, Edward Bumann and Ray Bumann Jr.; a sister, Delores (Bumann) Linn; and four brothers-in-law; James Fleenor, Del Linn, Ed Skinner and Richard Messer.
Sources: Ida County Courier, Ida Grove, Iowa, Fri., Jan 8, 2021 and Christensen-VanHouten Funeral Services, Ida Grove, Iowa at http://www.christensenvanhouten.com/