Marlys Phillips

Marlys Phillips, 90, of Wahpeton, North Dakota, passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Essentia Hospital in Fargo.  Her visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2024, with a prayer service starting at 7 p.m. at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.  Marlys’ funeral service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday, March 15, 2024, at Evergreen United Methodist Church in Wahpeton.  There will be a visitation one hour prior.  Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, Wahpeton.  Reverend Kori Lehrkamp will officiate the services.

Marlys Jean Hanson was born September 21, 1933, in Breckenridge, Minnesota, to Frank and Gertrude (Nordick) Hanson.  She attended both Breckenridge and Campbell schools, graduating from Campbell High School.  

On October 21, 1951, Marlys was united in marriage to David Phillips.   Not long after they were married, David was deployed to Korea.  While he was deployed, Marlys went to Seattle with Jan Buck.  While there, she worked at the Sears and Roebuck Company.  After David came home, the couple moved to Fairmount, North Dakota, to work for David’s family business, Phillips Fur and Wool, where she would take care of the books.  When the brothers decided to move the company to Wahpeton, ND, Marlys and David made the move as well, and that is where they would stay.  

When she was younger, she helped on the family farm.  You could even see Marlys in a tractor from time to time.   Before doing the books for Phillips Fur and Wool, she was employed by Stevenson’s in Wahpeton.  While in Fairmount, she was a Brownie troop leader, and served on the school board that helped get the new school built.  Marlys was the 1^st female newspaper carrier in Breckenridge, and was very proud of it.  She delivered the Minneapolis Tribune.  

Marlys was always done up before she left the house.  She was a fashionable lady that enjoyed getting her hair and nails done, and to go shopping- she had a love for shoes.  Marlys would also enjoy the occasional trip with family or friends to the casino, or riding horse.  She and her family were also able to visit London and take in the sights.

Out of all the things that Marlys enjoyed, bowling had to be her favorite.   In 1970, she went to Nationals, and won a trophy which she proudly displayed.  Marlys considered herself a “good bowler” and was on a Monday and Thursday night league.  

Marlys was an amazing mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many. She loved spending time with her family and friends. She was so very proud of her family and loved to share that fact with everyone she saw. She was very loved and will be greatly missed by her family.

Marlys is survived by her children, Shannon (Monte) Myhra, Mike (Becky) Phillips; grandchildren, Stephanie (Ralph) Wallace, Josh (Becky) Myhra, Andrew (Clara) Myhra, Allen (Lisa) Myhra, Sam Phillips; siblings, Tom (Pam) Oscarson, Judy (Bill) Junge; great grandchildren, Peighten, Hadley, Hayden, Cody, Aubrey, Gretchen, Olin, and Ben.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Gertrude; husband, David; brother, Jim Oscarson; and sister, Donna Backer; and many of her wonderful friends.

Marlys’ family would like to extend a special “Thank You” to the staff at the Leach Home for the wonderful care and love she was given there.