On December 28, 2014, Phyllis Bowen joined her husband, Bill, her parents, Nettie and Albert Larson, and her siblings Lorraine Sheley, Lois Swenson and Everett Larson in the loving hands of God. Phyllis passed away at the Good Samaritan Center in Sioux Falls.

Phyllis' funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids Chapel.  Interment will be in the Norway Cemetery near Garretson.  Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Kahler Funeral Home and the family will be present to greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Phyllis was born on the family farm northwest of Sherman on May 25, 1927.  She attended school in Sherman and Garretson, graduating from GHS.  On January 29, 1948, she married Bill Bowen.

Phyllis loved music and was an accomplished musician.  While she had some formal lessons, many of her musical talents were self-taught.  She excelled at the piano and organ, and family and friends found themselves tapping their feet when she played the accordion.  She amazed her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews by playing song requests, by ear.  If she heard a tune, she could play it.

Phyllis also loved dancing, and during the past 18 years, she joined friends at dances around the Sioux Falls area and in Phoenix, AZ.  Phyllis enjoyed wintering in Phoenix, AZ with her daughter Stephanie and her family.  Wherever she was, Phyllis dearly loved visiting friends. 

Phyllis was a full-time housewife and mom, with no business experience, but with Bill’s encouragement, and her mother-in-law Ann’s experience and exuberance, she opened Fashion Corner in Dell Rapids.  Phyllis and Ann, together with Phyllis’ friends, made Fashion Corner a successful womens clothing store from 1975 to 1990.

Phyllis is greatly missed by her son Bill (Kathy), Aberdeen, grandson Will (Audrey), San Diego, CA, granddaughter Jennifer (Frank), New York City, her daughter Gwen (George) Bunkers, Sioux Falls, granddaughter Whitney (Lee) Bumgarner, great-grandchildren Ben and Libby, Lincoln, NE, grandson Trevor Bunkers, Laughlin Air Force Base, TX, daughter Stephanie Barkey, granddaughters Kelsey and Alicia Barkey, Scottsdale, AZ, sister-in-law Teresa (Jim) Boyum, Dell Rapids, and 13 nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, Phyllis’ wishes were that memorials be made to FEEDING SOUTH DAKOTA, 3511 N. 1^st Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57104.

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