Phyllis F. Bethards, 78, of Tama passed away Thursday, September 27, 2012 at Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 10:30 AM at the Sheridan United Methodist Church in rural Malcom with Pastor Bonnie Koeppen officiating. Interment will follow at Sheridan Cemetery in rural Malcom. Visitation will be held Monday, October 1, 2012 from 5-7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.
Phyllis was born on October 19, 1933, in Andover, MO., the daughter of Wendall D. and Mildred (Hurst) Hill.
She attended Lamoni High School.
On June 11, 1950, she was united in marriage to Donald Bethards and three children were born to this union. In 2001, Phyllis met Bob Weitzell and they have been together ever since. Phyllis was previously employed at Sun Mart, Gibson's, and Woolco which later became Wal-Mart. She retired from Wal-Mart after twenty-five years. Phyllis was a Barrel Racer and held the record time for barrel racing in Iowa for a number of years. She loved going to the State Fair, roller skating and dancing. Phyllis enjoyed sitting at her kitchen table and eating meals together with her family. She also enjoyed antiques, and going to flea markets. Phyllis especially loved her children and grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Donald on September 29, 1979; and a grandson, Tommy Graff.
Survivors include three daughters, Debra (Jeff) Upah of Chelsea, Penny (Rod) Graff of Toledo, and Stacey (Randy) Murty of Malcom; ten grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren and three on the way; one brother, Lyndall (Nancy) Hill of Grant City, MO; and her significant other of eleven years, Bob Weitzell of Tama.
A memorial fund has been established.