Phyllis J. Boese

Phyllis Jane Boese of Springfield, SD passed away June 10, 2024 at the Good Samaritan Home, Tyndall, SD with family present. She was born to William C. and Mary Frances (Adams) Thomas of rural Springfield, April 27, 1930. 

A Memorial Service of her life will be at the Friedensberg Bible Church, Avon S.D. 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 29. Instead of flowers, the family suggest contributions to African Inter-Mennonite Mission (1013 Division St., P.O. Box 744, Goshen, IN 46527-0744 USA; https://www.aimmint.org/) or a local care facility or charity of your choice. 

Phyllis attended grade school at Equal Rights Country School rural Springfield. She then graduated from Springfield High School in 1948 as class president. She earned a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State College, Magna Cum Laude in 1953, and a Master of Arts in Library Science from the University of South Dakota in 1976.

After High School graduation she taught at Equal Rights Country School where she met her future husband, Glen L. Boese. They were married August 18, 1951. Phyllis finished her degree in Brookings while Glen attended Sioux Falls College. After college the young family moved to Chicago, Illinois where Glen attended seminary. In 1958 they returned to Springfield to take over part of the farm Glen’s father was working. In 1966, Phyllis started teaching Home Economics at Springfield High School. Then in the 70s she spent some time as the head librarian for the Freeman Junior College and Academy, later she taught at the Saint Mary’s School for Indian Girls in Springfield. 

February 1984 Phyllis and Glen headed to France for a crash course of French immersion before heading to Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) under the auspice of African Inter-Mennonite Missions and Habitat for Humanity returning in 1992. This was followed by four plus years of service as full-time volunteers at Hopi Mission School, Kykotosmovi, AZ. where Phyllis ran the library. In 1997 they retired to the acreage west of Springfield.

Growing up her family faithfully attended the UCC Church in Springfield. After their marriage she became a member of the Friedensberg Mennonite Church (Friedensberg Bible Church) to which she continued membership until her death. Phyllis was a strong woman of faith who served the Lord by serving others. She wisely cared for home and family, healthfully and economically and enjoyed participating in church groups and activities. Time spent with grandchildren often included playing games, lessons in sewing or crafting, gardening, caring for chickens, picking apples, or prepping fruits and vegetables for canning or freezing. In all ways, she demonstrated gentleness, patience, and a delightful sense of humor.

Glen and Phyllis had 5 children: Theodore (Cindy) of Sioux Fall, SD, Thomas (Doreen) of Rockford, IL, Dorothy (Jerry) Wood of Imperial NE, Vincent of Springfield, SD, and Steven (Jan) of Ottawa, KS; 14 grandchildren: Shelby (Anne), Amantha (Robbie) Boese-Pieper, Kaleb, Molly, Olivia, Michelle (Creg) Empey, Victoria (Daniel) O'Connell, Benjamin, Yavonne, Phillip Regier, Shanel (JD) Adams, Lynette (John) Haddad, Lia and Catherine; 10 great-grandchildren: Maxwell Morrow, Claire and Oliver Boese, Amalee and Audric Rahm, Allaira Pieper, Samantha and John Joseph O'Connell IV, Alvin Empey and Famke Adams.

Phyllis is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, cousins, many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Glen; her brothers, George and Charles Thomas.