Phyllis Jean Krusenstjerna

Phyllis Jean Krusenstjerna, the daughter of Rev. James T. and Gertrude L. (Losee) Snyder, was born June 17, 1925, in Lake City, Iowa.  She grew up in the Storm Lake and Alta area and graduated from Alta High School in 1943.  Phyllis attended Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, where she was involved in choir and many social and philanthropic groups and inducted in the P.E.O. Sisterhood.  She received her teaching certificate in 1945, and met her future husband, Jack Krusenstjerna. 

   Phyllis and Jack were married June 8, 1947, by her father.  In their early years of marriage, they lived in the Sioux City area and then moved to Encino, California, where their first child, Barbara was born.

   After Jack accepted a job with Bankers Life Insurance (now Principal), they returned to the Midwest and moved many times as Jack advanced with the company.  Settling in Sioux City, they were blessed with three more daughters:  Christine, Susan and Mary.  Phyllis and Jack moved to Spencer in 1966, where they resided for 24 years.  Phyllis was active in many church and community organizations, taught at the Clay Central School District, volunteered with the ‘Ladies in Pink’ at the hospital, and SO enjoyed working part-time with her dear friends, the Fonley’s, in their flower shop, while always putting family first.  

   Phyllis and Jack retired to Odebolt in 1990, where she continued to be active in church, P.E.O., community and social groups.  They began wintering in Arizona, and in 2008, moved to Sun City, Arizona.  With Phyllis’s warm, giving heart and smile, she made many wonderful friends. 

   Phyllis and Jack moved to Keelson Harbor Assisted Living in Spirit Lake in 2018 to be closer to family.  After Jack’s death, Phyllis moved to Community Memorial Health in Hartley, Iowa, where she was still a joy and inspiration to others.  She received special recognition as a 75-year member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood on May 22, and felt very honored.

   Phyllis passed away peacefully on June 2, 2021.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Barbara; and brother, Charles Snyder. 

   Phyllis had a beautiful and kind heart, and was a devoted wife, wonderful mother and friend, lifetime Christian and true child of God.

   Left to cherish her memory are her daughters:  Christine White (David) of Wetumpka, AL, Susan Brennan (Billy) of Spencer, IA, and Mary Monthei of Worthing, MN; grandchildren:  Jean Monthei (Jeff Lucas) of Mankato, MN, Kristen Bryant (Joshua) of Syracuse, NY; Matthew, Amanda and Jackson Durst of Spencer, IA; great-grandchildren:  Jacob Bryant, Eva Kruger and Jack Bryant; and many other relatives and friends.

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