Phyllis J. Briese

Phyllis J. Briese (1935-2019)

               Phyllis J. Briese

Sioux Falls. SD- Phyllis J. Briese passed away on Sunday February 10, 2019 at South Ridge Care Center in Sioux Falls after a short illness.

Phyllis J. Briese was born on April 16, 1935 to James and Annie (Meyer) Barnick in Dawson, ND. Phyllis was the 5^th of 14 siblings. Phyllis was baptized on June 4th and confirmed on June 18, 1950 at Dawson Lutheran Church. Phyllis graduated from Sibley High School in Dawson in 1953. On June 20, 1953 Phyllis was united in marriage to LaVern (Bud) Briese in Jamestown, ND. They lived and farmed in Dawson until 1954 when Bud entered the service. In April 1954 Susan was born (the first of 4 children) in Jamestown. Phyllis then lived with her sister Elsie & Jake Wittmier in Streeter, ND. In March of 1955 Lonnie was born in Sioux Falls, SD. Phyllis was then living with her sister in law Vi and Harold Woessner in Marion, SD as Bud was still in the service overseas. In July 1956 Phyllis and Bud were reunited as a family when Bud came home from the Army. They moved to Grand Rapids, MN and in November 1957 Randall was born. The family moved back to Sioux Falls in 1958 and in February 1959 Janell was born.

Later in 1959 Phyllis, Bud and family made their last move to their new home in Meriden. Phyllis took a job in housekeeping at the Cherokee Hospital. In 1965 Phyllis made her life’s career with the US Post Office. She started out as a Postal Clerk and in 1977 became the Post Master until her retirement in October 2003 after 38 years of service. Phyllis was very active for many years in the Postal  Auxiliary where she attended the Postmaster Conventions in Iowa as well as Hawaii. Phyllis was an active member of the VFW in Cherokee. Phyllis was also the local Avon Lady for 40 years until 2017. She worked very hard being the best at what she did. She won many awards and earned trips with Avon over the 40 years. She was very proud of her Mrs. Albee collection that she earned with Avon. Phyllis was very active with her church (M.E. Free Church) with working the nursery, served on the Spring Social Committee, Women’s Christmas Salad Gathering, and monthly Shepherd’s Table meal. She was very active and proud to be member of the White Cross. You could find her cutting stamps constantly at her kitchen table or while sitting in her lift chair. Her family told her of the milestone achieved by White Cross in the card that was sent to her and she had the biggest smile on her face.

Phyllis enjoyed the Hallmark and Lifetime channels. She couldn’t wait to watch the Christmas movies on Hallmark. Phyllis enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles and word search puzzles. She had a green thumb and loved to work in her flower beds. She was always willing to lend a hand with family and friends.

Phyllis is survived by her daughter Susan Briese of Cleghorn, Randy (Rita) Briese of Harrisburg, SD, and Janell Purdy of Sapulpa, OK. 8 grandchildren Jason Briese of Worthington, MN, Mindy (BJ) Olson of Hartford, SD, Justin (Stacey) Briese and Lynnsey Briese of Aberdeen, SD, Sara (Jeremy) Starner of Sapulpa, OK, Drew Sasse of Sioux City, Austin Sasse of LeMars, Hunter(Jake) Smith of Sioux Falls, SD. 10 great grandchildren Curtis and Hunter Payson of Aberdeen, SD, Melissa Payson of Rapid City, SD, Kaylee and Karson Olson of Hartford, SD, Ava Rose Briese of Aberdeen, SD, Cynthia Starner of Sapulpa, OK,  Keaton Hughes of Sioux City, Hudson and Grayson Smith of Sioux Falls. Phyllis is survived by her 8 siblings Elsie Wittmier of Wishek, ND, Frank (Connie) Barnick of Steele, ND, Bill (Paulette) Barnick of Tappen, ND, Marvin  Barnick of Steele, ND, Ervin (Carol) Barnick of Commerce City, CO, Janice Dwigans of El Paso, TX, Kathy Barnick of Bismarck, ND, and Larry ( Faye Hogue) Barnick of Wilton, ND. 2 Sisters in law Doris Briese of Watkins, MN and Shirley May of Albany, OR. As well as many nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents James and Annie Barnick, her in laws William and Gertrude Briese, her loving husband LaVern (Bud) Briese January 1976, loving son Lonnie Briese September 2012, son In laws Norman Purdy and Roger Ducommun and 5 siblings Jimmie Barnick, Judy Haux, Ralph Barnick, Raymond Barnick, and Helen Martin.

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