Phyllis Irene Guse was born on July 23, 1926, in Sioux City, Iowa, the daughter of Ray and Ellen (Foley) Karr. She grew up in Sioux City, where she graduated from Central High School in June of 1944. On Sept. 2, 1944, Phyllis was united in marriage to Sylvester (Chico) Guse at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Sioux City. After their marriage, Phyllis continued to be employed by Swift & Co. as a bookkeeper. In 1952, Chico accepted a transfer from The Railway Express Agency to the position of &8220;Agent&8221; in Storm Lake, Iowa, where Phyllis then accepted a position as bookkeeper for Vilas & Co. In 1965 Chico was transferred to Worthington and Phyllis accepted a bookkeeping position with Hudson Bros Construction Co. In 1970 Chico was transferred to Austin, and Phyllis accepted a position as office manager for the Wagner Construction Co., where she worked until retiring. After retirement, Phyllis and Chico enjoyed traveling and eventually purchased their place in Apache Junction, Ariz., in the spring of 1992. After Chico&8217;s death in 1993, she continued to winter in Arizona, where she passed away this February.

Phyllis&8217; greatest love was her family. She spent much of her time visiting her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A highlight of this last summer was her 80th birthday celebration held in Albert Lea, where all of her children, most of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were in attendance. Phyllis enjoyed the outdoors and went on frequent walks. She was an avid sports fan, watching Twins games all summer and Vikings games when available in Arizona. She enjoyed traveling, playing cards, crossword puzzles and reading.

She was a member of St. John&8217;s Catholic Church of Arlington, S.D.

Phyllis died on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007, at the Hospice of the Valley in Scottsdale, Ariz. Surviving are her children Kathy Snyder (Dennis), Eugene, Ore.; Darleen Steck (Jim), Denver, Iowa; Maureen Rutten (Bob), Arlington, S.D.; Andrea Ling (Jeff), Winter Haven,

Fla.; Sandra Swenson (Kevin), Alden; Douglas Guse (Tanja), Eden Prairie; Todd Guse (Jennifer), Blaine; 20 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Also surviving is one sister Geraldine Hamilton of Oakmont, Pa., and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Chico, one brother, Richard Karr, two sisters Jana Olson and Margaret Upton, and two grandchildren Bobby and Johnny Rutten. She will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be on Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. John&8217;s Catholic Church in Arlington, S.D.