Phyllis Stephensen, 75, Silver Bay

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Phyllis Stephensen, 75, of Silver Bay, died Monday, Nov. 12, 2007, at St. Mary&8217;s Hospital in Duluth.

She was born July 25, 1932, in Conger, the daughter of Fred and Elsie (Schmidt) Stiehl. Phyllis attended rural elementary school and graduated from Alden-Conger High School in 1950. She married Donald Stephensen on Aug. 17, 1952, near Conger. The couple made their home in Bloomington where they lived until Don&8217;s retirement from the printing trade in 1994. Following retirement they moved to a home north of Silver Bay. Phyllis remained in their home following Don&8217;s death in 2003 until moving to the Silverpointe Apartments in Silver Bay in May of this year. Phyllis is remembered for her quiet, behind the scenes manner, and her deep devotion to her family. She was &8220;a bit&8221; of a perfectionist, but also a woman of quiet courage and inner strength. She was a member of Sychar Lutheran Church in Silver Bay and active in their Mission Circle and the Sychar Lutheran Church Women.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband Donald; six brothers, Harvey, Russell, Marvin, Kenneth, Veryl and Elmer; two sisters, Vera Luedtke and Lorraine Wichmann and one grandson Joshua Dilley.

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She is survived by her five children, Kathy Jo (Brad) Benzick of Pequot Lakes, Diane (Dave) Dilley of Silver Bay, Sheryl Stephensen of Silver Bay, David Stephensen of League City, Texas, and Bradley (Amy) Stephensen of Bloomington; nine granddaughters seven grandsons; three great-grandchildren; two sisters Lois Hemmingsen of Alden and Delores Sternhagen of Albert Lea and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation is at 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. service tomorrow at Sychar Lutheran Chruch in Silver Bay with the Rev. Robin K. Nice officiating. A private burial will take place at a later date. Arrangements by Cavallin Funeral Home, Two Harbors.