Phyllis Rix Johansen

Phyllis R. Johansen was born March 29, 1923 to Anders and Anna (Rix) Utoft in Tyler, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler. She attended school in Tyler and graduated from Tyler High School. After graduation she moved to Washington State, where she met Marlowe Johansen. On April 28, 1944 the couple was married. Their union was blessed with two children-Douglas and Linda-and 61 years of life together. The couple lived in Minneapolis while Marlowe received his mortuary science education. In 1951, Anders Utoft invited them to return to Tyler to join the work of the Utoft-Johansen Furniture Store and Funeral Home. After Anders retired in 1960, Marlowe and Phyllis owned and operated the businesses, which they sold in 1980 when they retired. They moved to Danebod Village in 2003. Marlowe passed away December 9, 2005. Phyllis entered Tyler Healthcare Center on Tuesday, March 4, where she died on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at the age of 90, seventeen days before her 91st birthday.

Phyllis was a member of Danebod Lutheran Church, where she was active in the Ladies Aid. She enjoyed golf, cooking, bowling, tennis, and bridge, and especially time spent with her family and grandchildren.

Phyllis is lovingly remembered by her children, Douglas (and Julie) Johansen of Overland Park, Kansas, and Linda Watson of Chanhassen, Minnesota; two grandchildren, Nycole (and Chris) Nibbe of Lake Benton, Minnesota, and Caroline (and Kirk) VanDaVeer of Overland Park, Kansas; three great-grandchildren, Samuel, Braden, and Sydney Nibbe; a sister, Joan (and Robert) Gilmore of Bloomington, Minnesota; a brother, Charles (and Gladys) Utoft of Victoria, Minnesota; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marlowe; her parents; and two sisters, Katherine Jorgensen and Helen Skov.

Blessed be her memory.