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Phyllis Carol Christiance Echelberger

1929 - 2016

June 16, 1929 - January 18, 2016

ROCKWELL, Iowa - Phyllis Carol Christiance Echelberger, 86, of Rockwell, died Monday Jan. 18, 2016, at the Rockwell Care Center, Rockwell, Iowa surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, Iowa with the Rev. Sandi Gobeli officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa. Visitation will be Thursday, one hour before the service. The family suggests memorials to the Rockwell Care Center or Hospice of North Iowa.

Phyllis was born June 16, 1929 to Donald and Ione Christiance in Woolstock, Iowa. She lived her early childhood in Klemme attending grade school. The family purchased a farm north of Clear Lake when she was in junior high and she attended Fertile and Hanlontown schools, later returning to Klemme where she graduated in 1947. While living on the farm, Phyllis was a great help to her parents operating the farm equipment as her father continued operating his barber shops at Klemme and Meservey.

She was confirmed at Klemme Immanuel Reformed Church now United Church of Christ where she is a member. Phyllis loved her church, town, and school. She was an excellent student and loved playing her saxophone in the school band.

In 1947, Phyllis married Glen Echelberger at the United Brethren Church in Ventura. They began farming her grandparent’s Christiance farm at Thornton where Glen and Phyllis raised and sold sheep, milk cows and enjoyed the farm life. Later, they moved into Thornton where Glen operated a bulk truck business and Phyllis assisted with the accounting. Their lives took them to Goldfield, Clear Lake and Oregon, Wisconsin. Two children blessed their home, Michael and LuAnn.

Phyllis loved caring for people, attending NIACC and began employment at Clear Lake Oakwood Care in various areas and med-aide. She was noted for her excellent work ethic. Glen and Phyllis loved dancing at the Surf Ballroom in earlier years to big band music, and enjoyed listening to many other favorites over the years. Phyllis enjoyed watching classic movies with her family. She loved sewing, poetry, antiques, family stories and was an excellent homemaker. She always enjoyed when the family dog “Libby” a golden retriever came to visit.

Left to cherish Phyllis’s memory are her children Mike (Donna) Echelberger of Rockwell, LuAnn Scott (Chris DeKruif) of Mason City, her sister Beverly Hummel (Ron) Ankeny; two grandchildren Michele (Dan) Martinez, Rockwell, Todd (Cameo) Echelberger of Garner. Also, six great-grandchildren Payton, Seneca, Hayden Echelberger, Melaina, Charleigh, and Blaike Martinez and several nieces and nephews. Also, brother-in-law Lavern Behrens of Sebring, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Glen; sister-in-law Delores Behrens, grandparents Burt and Jessie Christiance, and Dr. Frederick and Gertrude Schwab, parents-in-law Ross and Lucy Echelberger and favorite aunt, Veryl Christiance Subbert.

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th Street, Clear Lake, IA 50428, 641-357-2193

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