Phyllis S. Willems

Phyllis S Willems, June 24, 1930 - October 4, 2024

From the day Phyllis and Bob took up residence at Wheatland Memorial Healthcare, she never believed she belonged there and always insisted that “someday soon” she “was going home.” It took nearly six long years, but on October 4, Phyllis’s spirit broke free of WMHC, her ailing mind and body, and made the journey to her heavenly home. 

Phyllis Darlene Schanke Willems, the only child of Art and Esther (Ringhand) Schanke, was born in the hospital at the bottom of the Graves Hotel hill, Harlowton, on June 24, 1930. She grew up on the family farm on Lebo Creek south of Harlo and got her early education at the Langston School. She attended Harlowton High School, where she played in the band, helped with the school paper, was class Secretary-Treasurer during her Sophomore and Junior years, and Vice President her Senior year. Busy as she was, Phyllis had time for ball games, dances, parties, lots of movies, and attending enough classes to graduate with her class in 1948. Phyllis also was a weekend farmhand, helping with the cooking, pitching in to help fix machinery, haul hay and wheat, and driving truck and tractor (which, the story goes, once ended up in the creek when she fell asleep at the wheel!). After graduation, Phyllis taught summer school at Trinity Lutheran Church and later went to work at Jacob’s Grocery Store. 

In August 1948, Phyllis caught Bob Willems’s attention at a Motorcycle Hill Climb, and he quickly arranged a date. Although she was uncertain about him at first, by Christmas Bob had won her heart, and they married on June 16, 1949. Throughout this 75-year partnership Phyllis was at Bob’s side through many enterprises and adventures, including the Harlo Creamery, Cross Triangle Motors, and ranching/farming. They also managed to have some fun. She and Bob played pinochle in a progressive club, took a Dale Carnegie public speaking course, and earned a Bachelor of Square Dancing from Gene Sondeno. For years they were active members of the Crazy Mountain Car Club. They also traveled extensively and made friends near and far. 

Phyllis’s home, yard, family, and friends were her pride and joy. She kept a beautiful yard and home, where she hosted many meetings, wedding and baby showers, as well as dinners for family and friends. She was an active member of the American Fork Club, Trinity Lutheran Church, and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML). Phyllis took piano and organ lessons in middle-age and played at church services. When macular degeneration made it difficult to read the music, she had the hymns enlarged so she could continue to serve her congregation. 

Phyllis’s interests and talents were many – including bowling scrapbooking, painting, sewing, embroidery, quilting – and what she did, she did extremely well. Her painted and fabric arts keep her memory alive in the homes of family and friends across the country. Phyllis was the keeper of three generations of family photographs and treasures (most of which have passed on to the 4th and 5th generations). Her collections of these precious items along with secondhand- and antique-shop finds were legendary. 

Phyllis was predeceased by her husband, Bob by only five months; her parents, Art and Esther Schanke; in-laws, Irene Willems, Archie Willems and Frank and Thelma Willems; many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is survived by her children, Bob (Sherrie Nash), Harlowton and Becky Livingston (Dale), Greenbank, Washington; grandchildren Dawn Livingston Tait (James), Lakewood, Colorado and Norfolk, Virginia, and Robin Willems, Columbus, Montana; great grandchildren Lamont and Amelia Tait (Lakewood, Colorado); and nephews Ron and Gary Willems and their families. 

While dementia gradually robbed us of the woman and mother we knew and loved, we shall forever miss her feisty spirit that occasionally showed itself until the end. Thanks to the many local and traveling CNAs, RNs and providers who so patiently and kindly cared for Phyllis and Bob during their final years. 

We will hold a joint memorial service/celebration of life for Phyllis and Bob in the Spring of 2025. 

Arrangements are under the direction of the Perkins Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at https://www.perkinsfuneralandcremation.com