Life Legacy

Phyllis passed away Thursday morning at the Manilla Manor. 

Visitation

Monday, May 25, 2009
After 6:00 PM

Prayer Service
 followed by at CD of A Rosary
7:00 PM

Ohde Funeral Home, Manilla

Mass of Christian Burial

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

10:30 AM

Sacred Heart Church, Manilla

Interment

Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Manilla

Celebrants

Father Robert Gralapp

Lector
Mark Onken

Music

“Here I Am, Lordâ€?     â€œHow Great Thou Artâ€?

 â€œYou Are Nearâ€?    “Nearer My God To Theeâ€?

Sacred Heart Choir

Marilyn Backhaus, Accompanist

Casket Bearers ~ Nephews

Tom Bussey     Steve Bussey

Todd Olberding     Bernie Olberding

Matt McKibben     Allen Sievertsen

Honorary Casket Bearers

Phyllis’s other nephews, nieces and Mike Schindler

   Phyllis Marie, daughter of Bernard and Mary (Maystadt) Olberding, was born October 10, 1922 in Carroll, Iowa. As a girl, the family moved to Denison where Phyllis attended school, graduating with the Class of 1941. On September 10, 1943, Phyllis was united in marriage with Ralph Kroll in Troy, Kansas. They made their home in Manilla, Iowa, where they owned and operated Ralph’s Card Room. Five children were born to this union. Their business closed in 1971 due to Ralph’s poor health and he died December 5, 1973. Phyllis continued to live in Manilla and became a housekeeper to the parish priests. She also made specialty cakes for many occasions. On September 25, 1981, Phyllis was united in marriage with Gifford Wenzel at Sacred Heart Church in Manilla. They made their home in Manilla. After Gifford’s death on July 22, 2000, she remained in her home. Phyllis was deeply committed to her Catholic faith; was an active member of the Altar and Rosary Society and looked forward to the Monday Morning Quilters. She was a charter member involved in the restoration of the Klondike Hotel in Manilla and was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Phyllis enjoyed traveling, playing cards and her needlework, donating many of her knitted caps to newborns at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs. In addition, she enjoyed shopping for antiques and volunteering at TAPP in Denison.

   When her health began to fail in March of 2009, Phyllis spent several weeks in hospitals and became a resident of the Manilla Manor Nursing Home in early April 2009. She died there on Thursday, May 21, 2009, at the age of 86 years, 7 months and 11 days.  Preceding her in death are her parents; husbands; three brothers Paul, Jack and Benny Olberding and one sister Virginia Sievertsen.

   Phyllis is survived by her five children: Madeline (Walter) Onken of Lidderdale; Peter (Sue) Kroll of Blackhawk, CO; Mike Kroll of Jewel; Dan (Sandra) Kroll of Ft. Collins, CO; and Mary Schindler (friend Jim Danner) of Coon Rapids; grandchildren: Jeff (Louise) Onken of Boone; Mark Onken (fiancé Keary McHugh) of Iowa City; Ashley Schindler of Ames; Michael Schindler of Manilla; Christopher Schindler of Manilla; and Hannah Kroll of Ft. Collins, CO; three sisters Marion Remmes of Ames; Alice Edwards of Council Bluffs and Margaret McKibben of Manilla; sister-in-law Marlene Olberding Joens of Council Bluffs; other relatives and many friends.