PHYLLIS JEAN SCHMAUS
February 2, 1938 – November 22, 2011 

Phyllis Jean Schmaus, age 73 of Park Rapids, MN, formerly of Coon Rapids, MN, peacefully entered eternity on November 22, 2011 at Essentia Health in Fargo, North Dakota with her loved ones at her side.
Phyllis was born on February 2, 1938 in Ashby, MN to Melvin and Amy (Hanson) Rindahl. It was in this same area that she attended the Fergus Falls Public High School and grew into womanhood. On August 31, 1957, Phyllis was united in marriage to a handsome young airman from Ponsford, MN, Richard Leo Schmaus in Austin, Texas. This union was blessed with two children: Michael and Suzanne. Phyllis dedicated herself to making a warm and loving home for her husband and children. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious roast beef dinners, homemade pies, chocolate chip cookies and other delicious deserts. After their early years together, while Richard served on airbases in Texas and Louisiana, they returned to Minnesota where they made their home in Coon Rapids where Richard worked as a research chemist for Sandoz Nutrition. Phyllis enjoyed working with her hands crocheting and knitting many gifts for family and friends. She loved the out of doors; especially when she could be out with her family fishing, especially casting for bass or hunting deer each fall. Many good stories can be shared about her prowess with both outdoor sports. Each spring she enjoyed tending a large vegetable garden which she would nurture into fruitful abundance to share with her family and friends. She was especially proud of the delicious raspberries she raised. In 1989 she and Richard retired to their home on Boot Lake north of Park Rapids. She was a faithful member of St. Theodore’s Catholic Church in Ponsford. Above all, Phyllis devoted her entire life to her husband, Richard; their children and grand children who she loved with all her heart, soul and mind.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband for the past 54 years, Richard of Park Rapids; her son, Michael Schmaus of Coon Rapids; her daughter, Suzanne (Jon) Scott of Enid, Oklahoma; her seven precious grandchildren: Richard, Samantha, Logan, Colby, Jake, Kirby and Luke; and one darling great granddaughter, Zoe; four sisters: Beverly (Darle) Runnigen, Romanne Gast, Mavis Fosse and Arlene (David) Nelson; her brother, Dennis Rindahl as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; l brother, Larry, l sister, Donna and one grandson, Nicolas.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, November 28, 2011 at St. Marys Catholic Church in Two Inlets, MN with Father Thomas Fridel officiating. Visitation will be held from 6-8:00 P.M. on Sunday, November 27, 2011 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN. Organist will be Mary Schmitz. Soloist will be Adam Field he will sing “On Eagles Wings.” Additional music will be provided by St. Marys Choir. Active Casketbearers will be Milek Kivi, Ryan Jordan, Richard Taylor, Jake Scott, Kirby Scott and Luke Scott. Logan Schmaus will be an Honorary Casketbearer. Interment will be made in the Lakeside Cemetery near Two Inlets, MN.  

Video Tribute coming soon here.