PHYLLIS ANN (FERGUSON) RICHARDS was born in Lyons Nebraska, March 19, 1944, to Burt and Maxine (Johnson) Ferguson. She passed away Friday, September 4, 2009, at her residence in Decatur, Nebraska, at the age of 65 years.

Phyllis was raised on her parents’ farm west of Decatur.  She graduated from Decatur High School in 1962.  In 1981 she earned a degree in Marketing and Retail Sales from Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City, Iowa.

On April 7, 1963, Phyllis married Bob Richards in Decatur.  To this union 3 children were born, Nancy, Karen and Rod. 

Phyllis stayed in the Decatur area her entire life.  She worked outside the home very little and was dedicated to making a home for her husband and children, helping with Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and serving as a Girl Scout Leader for many years.  She loved gardening, sewing and crafts, and working with Bob on various construction projects including most recently, their home on the south edge of Decatur.  In the past few years, she and Bob had purchased a camper and were able to enjoy many outings with family. 

  In 1981 she earned an Associate Degree in Retail Sales and Marketing from Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux city.  Phyllis had very fond memories of attending Ball country school west of Decatur and then Decatur High School  She enjoyed sharing memories with her family, which included telling tales of “slouch days” and school plays, and eating watermelon down by the river (long before there was a nice park there!)  Phyllis enjoyed helping with Alumni committee activities until her health become compromised From the 50th Alumni booklet.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bert and Maxine Ferguson.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Bob of Decatur; daughter, Nancy and her husband, Brian of Spencer, Iowa, daughter, Karen and her companion, Tracey of Spencer, Iowa; son, Rod and his wife, Gayle of Seward, Nebraska; twelve grandchildren, Zach, Abe, Caleb, Nate, Tyler, Brad, Avery, Joe, Cody, Stacie, Martin and Sarita; four  great-grandchildren, Jacob, Bryan, Cayden and Gracie; four sisters, Jeanette Madsen of Turin, Iowa, Joyce O‘Connell of, Sharon Evans of Amazonia, Missouri, Leona Weber of Mapleton, Iowa and their families, and many friends.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Monday, September 7, 2009, 10:30 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ Decatur Restoration Branch, Decatur, Nebraska

VISITATION: Sunday from 5 - 8 p.m. with family receiving friends at Pelan Funeral Home in Tekamah. Visitation will also be held Monday at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur, Nebraska

MEMORIALS: Burgess Hospice or Donor's Choice