Phyllis Echelberger

Phyllis Carol Christiance Echelberger, 86, of Rockwell, Iowa, died Monday, Jan. 18, 2016, at the Rockwell Care Center, Rockwell, surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Sandi Gobeli officiating.  Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.  Visitation will be Thursday, one hour before the service. Family suggests memorials to Rockwell Care Center or Hospice of North Iowa.

Phyllis was born June 16, 1929, to Donald and Ione Christiance, in Woolstock, Iowa.  She lived her early childhood in Klemme attending grade school.  The family purchased a farm north of Clear Lake when she was in junior high and she attended Fertile and Hanlontown schools.  She graduated in 1947 from Klemme.  While living on the farm, Phyllis was a great help to her parents operating the farm equipment as her father continued operating his barber shops at Klemme and Meservey.

She was confirmed at Klemme Immanuel Reformed church, now United Church of Christ, where she was a member.  Phyllis loved her church, town, and school.  She was an excellent student and loved playing her saxophone in the school band.

In 1947, Phyllis married Glen Echelberger at the United Brethren Church in Ventura.  They began farming her grandparent’s Christiance farm at Thornton. Glen and Phyllis raised and sold sheep, milk cows and enjoyed the farm life.  Later, they moved into Thornton where Glen operated a bulk truck business and Phyllis assisted with the accounting.  Their lives took them to Goldfield, Clear Lake and Oregon, Wis.  Two children blessed their home, Michael and LuAnn.

Phyllis loved caring for people.  She attended NIACC and began employment at Clear Lake Oakwood Care Center in various areas and med-aide.  She was noted for her excellent work ethic.

Glen and Phyllis loved dancing at the Surf Ballroom in earlier years to big band music and they enjoyed listening to many other favorites over the years.  Phyllis enjoyed watching classic movies with her family. She loved sewing, poetry, antiques, family stories and was an excellent homemaker.  She always enjoyed when the family dog, “Libby,” a golden retriever, came to visit.

Left to cherish Phyllis’s memory are her children, Mike (Donna) Echelberger, of Rockwell, and LuAnn Scott (Chris DeKruif), of Mason City; her sister, Beverly Hummel (Ron), Ankeny, Iowa; two grandchildren, Michele (Dan) Martinez, Rockwell and Todd (Cameo) Echelberger, of Garner; six great-grandchildren, Payton, Seneca, Hayden Echelberger, Melaina, Charleigh, and Blaike Martinez; and several nieces and nephews.  Also, brother-in-law, Lavern Behrens, of Sebring, Fla.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Glen; sister-in-law, Delores Behrens; grandparents, Burt and Jessie Christiance, and Dr. Frederick and Gertrude Schwab; parents-in-law, Ross and Lucy Echelberger; and favorite aunt, Veryl Christiance Subbert.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.