PHYLLIS LOUISE TOMLINSON
January 6, 1936 – July 6, 2008

Phyllis Louise Tomlinson, age 72, of Laporte , MN , formerly of Indianapolis , Indiana , passed away unexpectedly; but, peacefully on Sunday, July 6, 2008 with her daughter, Leslie and son-in-law, Dwight at her side.

Phyllis was born on January 6, 1936 in Indianapolis , Indiana to Elmer and Eunice (Smith) Wright. It was in Indianapolis that she began attending public school. As a girl, she moved with her family to Lebanon , Indiana where she graduated from high school with the Class of 1954. On July 31 of 1955, she was united in marriage to Royal Mark Pinnick in Indianapolis . This union was blessed with three daughters: Laurel, Julia and Leslie. Phyllis dedicated herself to making a warm and loving home for her family. In addition, she continued her education and attended Indiana University at South Bend where in 1973, she received her bachelors degree in Sociology and Psychology with certification in forensic studies. On June 28, 1976 , she was united in marriage to Kenneth E. Tomlinson in Chicago , Illinois . They moved to Osage, MN where they made their home on the shores of Straight Lake . Phyllis worked as a counselor at the Bell Hill Recovery Center in Wadena where her husband worked as the Director. In 1992, they returned to Indianapolis where she was involved in the ministry of the First Free Methodist Church . She served as a pianist, Sunday school teacher, and prayer warrior. For a number of years, Phyllis accepted the commitment of serving as care giver to both her mother and husband who were both dealing with serious health issues. She endured the heart break of their deaths in 2004 when they died just two weeks apart. Phyllis was a voracious reader and had a profound love for music. Above all, Phyllis sought to serve the Lord, she loved so deeply, in all areas of her life and in addition, she loved her family with all her heart.
She will be lovingly remembered by her three daughters: Laurel (Mitch) Robertson of Ferguson, North Carolina; Julia (Mark) Bernhard of Corpus Christi, Texas and Leslie (Dwight) Raddatz of Laporte, MN; One stepdaughter, Shelley Boyd; her eight grandchildren: Neal, Meg, Jill, Brett, Meredith, Grant, Garrett and Victoria; one great grandson, Iler; her sister, Elizabeth (Jerry) Caudill of North Vernon, Indiana and one niece, Kate Garrity.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Ken.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.