Phyllis J. Hoisington | September 10, 1932 - January 16, 2021
Obituaries-Pierre / Posted Jun 18, 2021 | 10:20 AM / 487 views
Phyllis J. Hoisington, 88, of Onida, passed away Saturday, January 16, 2021 at Avera Maryhouse, Pierre.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 25, 2021, at the First Presbyterian Church, Onida, SD, with Pastor Kathy Saxbury officiating, Burial of her cremains will be at 1:30 p.m. at the Gettysburg Cemetery.
Phyllis Jayne was born on September 10, 1932 in Gettysburg to Thomas Brown and Ragna Hilda (Rud) Harvey in Gettysburg, SD. She grew up in that area until her family moved to Watauga, SD her junior year, and she finished high school in McIntosh, SD. She married Claire Hoisington on June 17, 1950 and had eight children, six girls and two boys. They divorced in 1962. Phyllis and her children moved to Onida the summer of 1966 where she remained the rest of her life.
Phyllis started daycare and foster care, and she was a seamstress. She was active in many First Presbyterian Church ministries: Sunday school, PW Women’s Association, Bible Study groups, held different offices within the church and PW, and printed the church bulletins. Phyllis was a member of the Onida Extension Club for 65 years.
In1973 she started working at the Sully County Extension Office where she worked until her retirement after 30 years of service there. She helped with 4-H and Extension Club functions, Crop Improvement and Pesticide application testing. She mentored youth as summer help and during any 4-H activities. She was a friend to whomever she came in contact with and was always willing to help anyone.
In her spare time, she embroidered and sewed baby quilts, Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, Care Bear and Care Bear Cousins and numerous other stuffed animals and dolls. Many of which are all over the United States and in several other countries.
Phyllis had the opportunity to travel to other states to visit her oldest daughter, Susan (Steve) Watts, while in the Navy. Overseas travel took her to Spain and the United Kingdom.
Phyllis was chosen as Sully County Fine Lady in 1983; was presented with the Secretary of the Year Award from Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, The Cooperative Extension Service Fraternity in November 1993; and Bank West Sr. Celebrity of the Month in November of 1995.
She is survived by her children: Susan (Steve) Watts, Harrisburg PA; Geneva Barkley, Pierre; Robert (Christine) Hoisington, Stillwell, KS; Nina (James) Ripley, Onida; Katherine Hoisington, Onida and Carry Wallace, Brookings; siblings, Mable Ellis, Katy, TX and James (Phyllis) Harvey, Rapid City, sister-in-law, Marla (Buzz) Harvey, Rapid City, 16 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and five great-great grandsons; cousins, nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by two children, Sidney Hoisington and Patricia “Trish” Miles; great granddaughter, Maya Allen; parents; sister, Elsie Berg; and brother, Edwin “Buzz” Harvey.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Phyllis’ arrangements.