FT. PIERRE, SD – Phyllis Katherine Tibbitts Fravel, 94, of Fort Pierre, SD passed away March 12, 2026 at Edgewood Senior Living in Pierre, SD. Visitation will be from 5-7pm with a 7pm wake service on Friday, March 20, 2026 at Isburg Funeral Chapel in Pierre. Mass of Christian burial will be 10am on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Pierre. Burial will be in Scotty Philip Cemetery at Fort Pierre.

Phyllis was born on June 2, 1931, to Tom Tibbitts and Florence Pourier Tibbitts at the home of her maternal grandparents, John and Josie Pourier, north of Porcupine, SD. She grew up on the Tom Arnold Ranch between Martin and Mission, SD, and attended Barnes Country School.

Because her parents worked on ranches that were not close to a high school, Phyllis lived with her older sisters while attending high school in Lemmon and Mission, SD. She later graduated from Valentine High School in Valentine, NE, in 1948. Education was very important to Phyllis, and she was determined to complete her schooling.

After graduation, Phyllis moved to Fort Pierre, SD to live with her oldest sister, Thelma Kelly. There she received her first teaching job at War Creek Country School in Jones County. The following year she attended Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish, SD where she earned her teaching certificate.

Phyllis later accepted a teaching position in Stanley County at Orton School. While attending a school dance, she met Clifford Fravel, a handsome blue-eyed gentleman. The two were married on June 30, 1950, and shared 56 years of marriage together. They made their home on the Glen and Martha Fravel homestead ranch.

After Clifford’s passing in 2006, Phyllis continued living on the ranch until 2016, when she decided to move into an apartment in Pierre for the winter months. She always returned to the ranch each April. Phyllis was a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, St. John’s Catholic Church, the Women of the Moose, Fort Pierre Senior Center, Verendrye Museum and the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center. She also was a weather reporter with the National Weather Service for many years.

Phyllis is survived by her sister, Francis Bradford of Newcastle, Wyoming, sister-in-law Linda Tibbits; her sons, Ron Fravel of Fort Pierre and Lynn (MaryBeth) Fravel of Fort Pierre; her daughter, Kathryn Stewart of Rapid City; and her son-in-law, Randy Vevig of Draper. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Kevin (Laura) Fravel, Collin O’Dea, Martha Stewart (Marty Norman), Becky Stewart, Shawn Stewart, Melissa (Jason) Brodeur, Lacey (Seaver) Baruch, Lance (Megan) Fravel, Brandon (Stephanie) Vevig, Lana Vevig, and Beth Vevig. She was blessed with 21 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her great joy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Florence Tibbitts; her husband, Clifford Fravel; her daughter, Linda Vevig; her grandson, Chad Stewart; her granddaughter, Kayla Stewart; and her great-grandson, Mathew Stewart. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Thelma Kelly, Dolores Emery, Devona Marshall, and Vesta Soderlin; her brother, Tommy Tibbitts; her in-laws, Glen and Martha Fravel; her brothers-in-law, James Fravel and Herbert Fravel; and her sisters-in-law, Pearl Tibbs, Ethel Walters, and Helen Boyd.

Phyllis will be remembered for her quiet strength, kind heart, and deep love for her family. She found happiness in the simple and meaningful things in life—working in her garden, stitching beautiful star quilts, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The ranch she loved so dearly was always home to her, and the memories created there will live on through those who knew and loved her. Her legacy of hard work, generosity, and devotion to family will continue to guide the generations that follow.

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