Phyllis Drenth
Phyllis A. Drenth, age 83, of Decorah died Monday, July 8, 2019 at Thornton Manor Nursing Home in Lansing. Funeral Services were held Friday, July 12 at First United Methodist Church in Decorah with Rev. Hyeunmee Kang officiating. Burial was at Lowell Cemetery in Clarksville.
Phyllis Ann (Spencer) Drenth was born February 27, 1936 in Austin, MN, the daughter of Herman Cecil and Ella Mary (Anderson) Spencer. She grew up in rural Austin in Mower County, MN 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 in 1954. They were married at the United Methodist Church in Austin, MN February 15, 1958. Phyllis and Lowell were living and farming in Clarksville when their first son, Donovan James, was born in Waverly February 10, 1961. They bought a farm in Decorah in 1964 and their second son, Russell James, was born in Decorah 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, 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: Sam (Jessie) Drenth, Reese Drenth, Reid Drenth, Vivian (Alex Taylor) Drenth and Hunter Drenth; and two great-granddaughters, Josie and Charlotte, daughters of Sam (Jessie) Drenth.
Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah assisted the family. Online condolences may be made at www.fjelstul.com.
