Phyllis passed away on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at the Shenandoah Medical Center surrounded by her loving family.

Memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church in Shenandoah or the Shenandoah Ambulance Service.

Phyllis Jean Funk, daughter of Floyd "Jack" and Fairrell (Ingram) Funk was born on November 28, 1927 in Shenandoah, Iowa.  Phyllis entered into eternal peace on April 7, 2021 at the Shenandoah Medical Center.

She graduated from Shenandoah High School with the Class of 1945.  She started working at Northwestern Bell Phone Company during high school.  She then took a full time job with them following graduation as an operator and later was made a service assistant.  She transferred to Pacific Telephone and spent time in California before returning to Iowa and Southwestern Bell, where she worked in Ames, Des Moines, Council Bluffs and other cities in the Midwest.  She worked a year in New York City, where she helped to compose the training manual for switching operators over from manual to automation.

After 33 years with the phone companies she "retired" and was busier than ever!  She taught English as a second language to many in the Shenandoah area, right up until COVID hit.  She often served as a second "mother" to many teachers, students and others who came from Central America, Mexico, South America and many other places in the world.  She formed many very close and personal relationships with her students and was very respected by them.

Phyllis was a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church and served the church in many capacities.  She taught Sunday School, served as an Elder and was a head usher.  She was named as an Honorary Lifetime Presbyterian Woman.  Some of her community activities included the Shenandoah Garden Club, where she served as past president, assisted with the annual Hall of Flame, and maintained various plantings and flower gardens around the community.   She was a member of the Southwest Iowa Theater Group since its inception in 1957, often acting as a stage manager or running the box office.  When she lived in Council Bluffs she was a member of the Chanticleer Community Theater.  She also enjoyed working in the hospital gift shop and assisting with the annual hospital golf tournament as a member of the Shenandoah Hospital Ladies Auxiliary.

Phyllis received many awards for her dedication to the community and her leadership which included the following awards: Iowa Western Distinguished Leadership and Service in 1988, State of Iowa Governor's Volunteer Award in 1986 & 1994, Friend of Education Award 1994-1995, KMA Pride Award for Outstanding Community Volunteer 1995 and City National Bank Cornerstone Award in 2003.

Her love for travel took her all around the world seeing and experiencing different cultures.  Although she enjoyed traveling, one of Phyllis' favorites spots was on the golf course.   She enjoyed spending her summers on the course.   A stickler for golf etiquette...fix your divots, let others play through and don't drive your cart to close too the greens!

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Robert, Jack, Ivan, Shirley and Patsy.  Her brother Rex passed away 6 weeks after her as well.

Those left to cherish her memory include her 11 nieces and nephews; Connie (Jim), Cassy, Chris (Sandy), Mike (Susan), Melinda (Eldon), Mark, Dirk (Lisa), Jeff (Diane), Lori (Danny), Melissa (Shaw) and PJ (Debbie); and many great and great-great nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.