Phyllis Smith, of Ames, Iowa, died on August 3, 2021. A memorial service will be held Friday, August 6th at 2:30 p.m. at Collegiate Presbyterian Church, 159 Sheldon Avenue, Ames, Iowa. Burial services will be held privately at Iowa State Cemetery in Ames.
Phyllis was born in 1927 on a farm near Gladbrook, Iowa, the fourth of five daughters born to Harry W. Seydel and Esther Bruene Seydel. She graduated from Gladbrook High School and graduated from the two-year Teachers Program at Iowa Teachers College in Cedar Falls. She later graduated with a BA degree from the University of Iowa, and did postgraduate study at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, Drake University, and at Iowa State University. On June 13, 1958, she married Gerald Smith; their marriage was blessed with a son, Brian. She taught for more than 30 years in the schools of Vinton, Cedar Rapids, and Ames; including Lincoln, Meeker, Welch Junior High, and Sawyer schools.
Phyllis was a member of Collegiate Presbyterian Church for over 60 years and served for more than 25 years on its rummage committee. She was a long-time member of the Fortnightly Book Club, several education associations, Reiman Gardens, and other organizations. For nearly 20 years, she was a daily swimmer at the Gateway indoor pool.
She is survived by her son, Brian Smith and daughter-in-law Fazia Ali of Miami Beach, FL; nephew, Sam (Tristan) Houston of Morgan Hills, CA; nieces, Toni (Michael) Black of Quincy, IL, Jeri (Robert) Kenning of Evansville, IN, Linda Johnson of Ames, Lisa (Michael) Thompson of Traer, and Lori (Ronald) Huebner of Evansville, IN; one grandnephew, David (Dana) Ludwig of Quincy, IL; and two grandnieces, Kelli Kenning (Joseph) Day of Evansville, IN and Catlin Thompson of Waterloo, IA.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald; her parents; sisters, Marjorie Frey, Lois Lorenz, Joyce and Barbara Seydel; brothers-in-law, Lyle Lorenz, Kenneth Frey and Gene F. Smith; and sister-in-law, Johnina Smith.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com.
So sorry to hear of Phyllis passing. She was such a joy to visit with, always positive and grateful for her family - she loved you dearly and was proud of both of you and thrilled when you visited. I was glad to share my new Mary Higgins Clark books with her which she could read much faster than I. She will be missed by many but happy memories of she and Gerry!
Phyllis was like a grandmother to me. I had the honor to know her as a person and I will forever cherish the relationship I had with her. My condolences to her family. She will forever hold a special place in my heart.
What a wonderful lady and friend! Phyllis was a joy to be around. I used to eat lunch with her and Gerry and we had such a good time. I always loved hearing her talk about her teaching years. She always had a positive attitude and I never heard her complain. She was an inspiration. And she loved doughnuts!!! She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Sandra Engle
I have wonderful memories of staying at your house as a little boy with my grandparents. You and Uncle Gerry were wonderful, thoughtful and very kind people and will be greatly missed. I hope you are celebrating in heaven with the rest of the family keeping us all safe down here. Thank you for being wonderful people and your kindness. We love you and will miss your cards, letters and conversations. God Bless you.....
Service
Ames, IA 50014
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