Phyllis B. Messer
Phyllis B. Messer, age 72 of Sauk Centre, was reunited with her soulmate, Jerome on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, following a courageous and hard-fought fight with brain cancer. Phyllis was being lovingly cared for by the staff at CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Sauk Centre with her children at her side as she made the transition to heaven.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, Jan. 4, 2016, at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Father Tim Wenzel presiding. Interment was at the St. Paul’s Catholic Cemetery in Sauk Centre.
Phyllis Bernadine Toenyan was born June 16, 1943, in Millwood Township, near Melrose, the daughter of Edward E. and Marie M. (Schmidt) Toenyan. Phyllis attended school and graduated from Melrose High School. On May 19, 1964, Phyllis was united in marriage to the love of her life, Jerome J. Messer at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa. Phyllis worked side-by-side with her husband, Jerome and their six children on the Messer Family Farm which they purchased in 1973. She resided there until 2013, when she moved to her home in Sauk Centre.
Highly devoted to her strong Catholic faith, Phyllis can be remembered as a loving, appreciative, compassionate woman with many interests. From cooking and baking, trips with the family camper, bonfires, boat rides, fishing and going to the beach to playing cards and attending country music concerts, she made everything she did fun and enjoyable. Phyllis was a proud and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She enjoyed watching her sons and grandsons participate in demo derbies, babysitting her grandchildren and an occasional trip to the casino with her friends. She enjoyed traveling and in September, 2014, Phyllis took a trip of her lifetime which included stops in Rome and Venice, Italy, the Greek Isles and Turkey. She enjoyed her time as a volunteer at Holy Family School lunchroom and often received special hugs from her grandchildren there. A priority in her life was attending school programs and sporting events of her children and grandchildren. She always had her camera ready to capture these memories. Phyllis will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Phyllis was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Christian Mothers and the St. Paul’s Faith Sharing. She was also an active member in the local Red Hat Society, Card Club, Homemakers Club, and enjoyed dining with the Tuesday Lunch Group.
Phyllis will be dearly missed by her children, Julie (Gerald) Woida of Villard, Joyce (David) Brinkman of Grey Eagle, Pamela (Lee) Wolbeck of Sauk Centre, Jeffrey (Sharon) Messer of Sauk Centre, Jason (Koni) Messer of Sauk Centre, and Paula (Matthew) Walter of Moorhead, Minn; grandchildren, Janis (Preston) Iverson, Rebecca Woida, Stacy (Mark) Woeste, Kristin Woida, Ashley (Matt) Stangler, Nicole (Jonathon) Spaid, Kayla Brinkman, Austin Brinkman, Zachary Wolbeck, Mitchell Wolbeck, Adam Wolbeck, Evan Wolbeck, Ryan Wolbeck, Jenna Messer and Kaylee Messer; great-grandchildren, Emmett Iverson, Jakobe King, Mario Watson, Shyla Woeste, Ethan Woeste, Gavyn Stangler, Mason Stangler, and Chiara Spaid; sister, Jane (Melvin) Wielenberg; brothers, Claude (Susan) Toenyan, Carl (Mary) Toenyan, Harold Toenyan, and Tom (Julie) Toenyan; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Phyllis is preceded in death by her husband, Jerome J. Messer on August 19, 2005; her parents, Edward and Marie Toenyan; and infant brother, Frank Toenyan.
Casket bearers were her grandsons and Godsons, Austin Brinkman, Zachary Wolbeck, Mitchell Wolbeck, Scott Toenyan, James Wielenberg, Matthew Toenyan, Kevin Toenyan, and Brian Wessel. Jane Wielenberg served as Cross bearer while Tom Toenyan was the Scripture bearer for Phyllis’ Mass. Special music was provided by Nicole Spaid, Kayla Brinkman, Kevin Gwost, Lawrence Gwost and Carol Trisko. Honorary casket bearers include: Betty Wessel, Susie Benson, Arlis Borgerding, Margaret Klasen, Lorrayne Traut, Mary Lou Lieser, JoAnn Middendorf, Elaine Meier, Jean Yarke, Lorraine Peschel, Rose Betow, Margaret Meyer, Margie Schmiesing, Claudette Jennissen, Kathy Kerfeld, Lynn Mehelich, Alice Peters, Betty Wiedendorf, Joan Tegels, Jan Schlichting, Vonnie Zirbes, Ruth Ann Zastrow, Darlene Dols, Dorreen Arens, Lorraine Kollman, Jane Meyer, Maria Minette, Virginia Meyer and Kathy Thomas.
Arrangements are with Patton-Schad Funeral Home, Sauk Centre.