Phyllis Wiederin

Phyllis Wiederin, the daughter of Verlin and Mildred (Schwering) Blair, was born at home in Dayton on June 5, 1932. She passed from this life Aug. 26 at the Shady Oaks Care Center in Lake City.

She lived a full life to the age of 87 years, two months and 21 days.

Phyllis attended and graduated from Dayton High School in 1952 and later attended Morningside College in Sioux City, where she received a degree in teaching. In 1954, Phyllis took a teaching position in Churdan and taught for three years.

On June 1, 1957, Phyllis Blair was united in marriage to Wilbur Wiederin at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Churdan. Four children were born to this union.

Phyllis and Wilbur made their home in Churdan and raised their family. Later in life, after the children were raised, Phyllis took a teaching position at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Fort Dodge for a few years before retiring. 

Phyllis was member of St. Columbkille Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters of America and the Rosary Society, and also a member of the Churdan American Legion Auxiliary. 

She also was a member of a group known as the G.A. Club. Her children are not sure if the “G” stands for gab or gossip. 

After retiring, Phyllis and Wilbur traveled by bus to many locations. They enjoyed gathering with their children and grandchildren. One of Phyllis’ favorite memories was her 80th birthday, when she rode on a party bus with her children and grandchildren.

She also enjoyed reading and her favorite author was Stephanie Laurens. She enjoyed going to the library hunting for books and visiting with the ladies. 

Wilbur passed away in 2001. Phyllis’ greatest heartbreak was the death of her daughter, Sharon Towers, in 2014. 

Phyllis is survived by her children: Mary (David) Lane, of Algona; Mike (Lisa), of Churdan; and Joe (Denise), of Farnhamville; son-in-law Mick Towers, of Adel; 11 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; brother Paul (Kathy) Blair, of Dawson; and three sisters-in-law: Etta Mae, Sherry and Wanda Blair. 

Those who preceded her in death were her parents; husband; daughter; three brothers: Kenneth, Jim and Tom Blair; and a sister, JoAnn Brown.  

Mass of the Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 30 at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Churdan with Father John Gerald officiating. 

Burial will be in the St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery.

Musical selections will be sung by Greg Carey as cantor, with the church choir accompanying and Lois Last as organist. 

Casket bearers will be Nick Lane, Jake Lane, Jay Wiederin, Ben Wiederin, Ethan Wiederin and Joe Towers.

Honorary bearers are Eileen Splendore, Jenny Nicholson, Becky Halling, Emily Coffey and Betsy Lemus.

Brown Funeral Home in Jefferson is assisting the family.