Phyllis Zastrow

Phyllis Clare Swenson was born on October 12, 1922 on Columbus Day to Peter and Lillian Swenson in Alexandria, Minnesota.   She grew up in Holmes City, MN and graduated from Alexandria High School.

Phyllis married Egner Zastrow in St. Paul, Minnesota on December 2, 1940.  They lived in many places; St. Paul,MN, New Germany,MN, Alexandria,MN, New Effington, SD, Wheaton, MN, Hopkins, MN, Lake Ida (Miltona, MN),  She was happy where ever dad wanted to go, having 5 children along the way: Jack, Kenny, Dale, Scott and Judy.

Phyllis’s faith was active as shown in her love for singing in the church choir and teaching Sunday School at St. John's Lutheran Church, Wheaton, MN.   She also worked for many years in the Wheaton Dept. store.

They moved to Hopkins, MN where she worked at an Insurance Company, then moved to Alexandria and was a teacher’s aide in Washington Elementary School.

Mom and dad loved to winter in the Harlingen, Texas area for over 25 years and enjoyed making new friends.  Mom led an exercise class, sewed and had a lot of fun across the border to have 50 cent beer and dance.

Phyllis loved to crochet quilts, afghans and many items for many years.  She would sew upon request for family and friends.  Phyllis will be remembered for many things, among them her love of life, love of children, easy and content personality, incredible sense of humor, her famous donuts and her beautiful hair!!

She followed the example of Jesus ‘living to love people to Christ.’  Her confident, hope and assurance in our Savior Jesus Christ overshadowed any struggles she experienced.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Egner, brother Rodney, sister Udell Sandberg and half-sister Marion Terras, daughter-in-law Deby Zastrow and son-in-law John Hennen.  She is survived by her children Jack (Linda), Kenneth (Marilyn), Dale (Ilene), Scott, Judy Hennen and 18 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren, brother Doug Swenson (Camilla) ,brother-in-law James Zastrow (Maryann) and sister-in-law Marcella Halvorson.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff of Evansville Care Center and hospice who gave great care to our mom in her final days.

Phyllis Zastrow, age 95, died on Thursday, December 7, 2017.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Zion with burial at Kinkead Cemetery.