Funeral services for Phyllis Elaine Phillips, 78, of Albert Lea, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the United Methodist Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. John Bromeland will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Phyllis died Monday, Sept.17, 2007, at Albert Lea Medical Center.

Phyllis Elaine Phillips was born on May 11, 1929, to Ralph and Lottie (Benson) Lawton in Vermillion, S.D. Phyllis grew up in Vermillion and graduated from Vermillion High School in 1947. She attended the University of South Dakota and Drake University. Phyllis married Robert Phillips on April 23, 1949, in Vermillion, S.D. She was a life long member of the United Methodist Church. Phyllis was active in a church circle and the UMW. She was also a member of the League of Women Voters and a book club. Phyllis was a very artistic person and loved reading. She also enjoyed doing the New York Times crossword puzzles.

Survivors include her husband, Robert; children, Susan Phillips of Illinois, Bob Phillips of Rochester, and Beth Phillips of Albert Lea and her fianc/ John Anderson and his children Crystal and John; brother Robert Lawton of Naperville, Ill.; and nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Gerald Lawton.

Memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society.