Drenth, Phyllis Ann (Spencer) 1936 - 2019

DRENTH, SPENCER, ANDERSON, RICKERTSEN, COOPERMAN, TAYLOR

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:41

Phyllis A. Drenth, age 83, of Decorah, IA, died Monday, July 8, 2019 at Thornton Manor Nursing Home in Lansing, IA.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 12, 2019 at First United Methodist Church in Decorah with Rev. Hyeunmee Kang officiating. Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday at Lowell Cemetery in Clarksville, IA.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Jul 11 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and on Friday beginning at 9:30 a.m., one hour before the service, at the church.

Phyllis Ann (Spencer) Drenth was born on February 27, 1936 in Austin, Minnesota, the daughter of Herman Cecil and Ella Mary (Anderson) Spencer. She grew up in rural Austin, Mower County, Minnesota and graduated from Austin High School with the class of 1954.

Phyllis met Lowell James Drenth at a New Year’s Eve dance in Clarksville, IA in 1954. They were married at the United Methodist Church in Austin, Minnesota on February 15, 1958. Phyllis and Lowell were living and farming in Clarksville when their first son, Donovan James, was born in Waverly, Iowa on February 10, 1961. He bought a farm in Decorah, Iowa in 1964. Their second son Russell James was born in Decorah on December 12, 1967.

Phyllis worked at a bank in Waverly, then when they moved to Decorah, she started working at Decorah State Bank as a teller. She then went to work at Production Credit Association as a bookkeeper, and later worked at Luther College. She retired from Luther in 2005. She also helped Lowell farm, working with their livestock and crops. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Decorah where she was active in circle and taught Sunday School. She was a very good cook and is especially known for her mac and cheese, green bean casserole, potato salad and rhubarb pie. Phyllis played the piano, liked to knit, play cards, where she had a very good poker face, and really enjoyed the Birthday Club.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Lowell on November 15, 2017; and her half-sister, Marcella Rickertsen.

Phyllis is survived by her two sons, Donovan (Rachel Cooperman) Drenth and Russell Drenth of Decorah; five grandchildren and two great-granddaughters: Sam (Jessie) Drenth and their children Josie and Charlotte, Reese Drenth, Reid Drenth, Vivian (Alex Taylor) Drenth and Hunter Drenth.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

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