Phyllis A. Sawyer

Phyllis A. Sawyer, 98 of Kearney passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at Good Samaritan Society-St. John’s. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at First Lutheran Church with Rev. Dr. Michelle Holley Carlson and Rev. Dr. Rick Carlson officiating. Inurnment will be held at Immanuel Cemetery in Bertrand, NE. Phyllis was born July 21, 1925 in Genoa, Colorado to Ernest and Nettie (Rayburn) Nelson. Through the 5th grade, she was raised on a farm near Erie, CO. Then, Phyllis’ family moved into Boulder, CO where she graduated from Boulder High School, followed by a year at the Pentagon during WWII. Phyllis attended Bethany Lutheran College in Lindsborg, KS. where she met Charles. On August 24, 1947, Phyllis was united in marriage to Charles H. Sawyer in Wichita, KS. Phyllis became a homemaker, raised four daughters, and helped with Charles’ nursery business when he became ill. After Charles died in 1963, Phyllis was employed as a secretary to help support her girls through their college educations. A desire to be near her daughters caused 4 moves to different states in her lifetime. Phyllis moved first to Irving, TX. Years later she moved to Blue Island, IL, and became employed as a Senior Companion and Secretary for the cities’ Senior Program. Following retirement in 2008, she lived with family in Sugarland, TX and in Kearney, NE. When seriously disabled by aging issues and a cancer diagnosis, Phyllis entered a Long-Term Care Program at Good Samaritan Society – St. John’s in Kearney. Phyllis was a devout Lutheran throughout her life. She and her daughters were involved in church activities and loved the supportive community. Phyllis also enjoyed sewing, reading, and playing Scrabble with family and friends. Phyllis Sawyer was preceded in death by her parents; 3 brothers and 4 sisters; daughter, Susan Stewart and her husband, Jay; grandson, James Gosswein. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Judy (John) Gosswein of Kearney, Jeanne Sawyer of Rock Island, IL, and Jan (Vinnie) Torterella of Sugarland, TX; grandchildren, William Stewart, Johanna Dusenberry, Michael VanScharrel, Julia Gosswein, Joel Gosswein, and Angela Dietrich; as well as many extended family members and friends. Memorials are suggested to go to the family for designation in the future. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.

Phyllis A. Sawyer

July 21, 1925 - April 9, 2024