Phyllis Carlson, 90, of Hooper NE

Phyllis Loetta Carlson, 90 years, of Hooper, Nebraska passed away peacefully Monday, April 20, 2015 at Hooper Care Center in Hooper. Phyllis was born February 11, 1925 to Irvin and Anna (Nelson) Lueninghoener on a farm NE of Hooper. This farm was established by her great-grandparents, Frederick and Katharina Eisley, in 1865 and has been in the family for 150 years.

Phyllis graduated from Hooper High School in 1942 and became certified to teach. She began teaching in the fall of 1942 at the District 20 Baker Wolcott School (SE of Winslow, Nebraska). She later taught at District 39 located east of Dead Timber State Park (NE of Scribner, Nebraska).

Phyllis met her future husband, Gordon Carlson, the evening prior to his departure for the Army in the fall of 1942. Upon his return from the Army in 1944 they began dating and were married at the Hooper Methodist Church on September 1, 1946. They farmed southeast of Winslow for three years, then near Scribner for one year, and nine years west of Oakland, Nebraska, where they were members of Westside Methodist Church.

In 1959, Gordon and Phyllis purchased a farm adjacent to her parents’ farm northeast of Hooper. They felt this was a major moment in their life as not many can say that they went from being a hired farm hand to owning their own farm within their lifetime. Phyllis was always an active partner in farming operations; first with her father, then with wheat harvest on her uncles’ farms near Sidney, Nebraska, and later with her husband.

Gordon and Phyllis were members of the Faith United Methodist Church in Hooper. Phyllis was active with Faith’s Methodist Women and was an officer at the district and conference level. During this time she attended the International Methodist Women’s Convention at the United Nations in New York City. Phyllis was also active on the Logan Cemetery Board and served as a Director on the Camp Fontanelle Board.

In 1990, Phyllis suffered a debilitating stroke limiting many of her favorite activities including gardening, baking, sewing, playing piano, and volunteer activities. She and Gordon remained on the farm until 1999, when they moved to the Hooper Care Center.

She is survived by her children, Alice and husband, Mike Segers, Betty and husband, Mark Ditter, and Mary and husband, Leroy Garman; grandchildren, Marc Segers and wife, Dr. Cassandra Carberry, Eric Segers and wife, Simone Nichols-Segers, Lisa (Murer) and husband, Dr. Eric Johnson, Michael and wife Dr. Lauren Murer, Matthew and wife, Elizabeth Troyer-Miller, Brett Troyer, Anne and husband, Nelson Winkel, and Kristin Troyer; great grandchildren, Juniper Segers, Fritz Troyer-Miller, Rose Segers, and Pierce Johnson and three great grandchildren are expected within the next six months.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sister, Dorothy Warneking; and son-in-law, Dennis Troyer.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M., Thursday, April 23, 2015 at Faith United Methodist Church at Hooper. The Rev. Dr. F Cole Fowler will officiate. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 PM to 6 PM with family receiving friends from 6 PM to 8 PM at Moser Memorial Chapel in Fremont. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Logan Cemetery NE of Hooper.

Memorials may be directed to Faith United Methodist Church and Camp Fontanelle.

Online condolences can be left at http://www.mosermemorialchapels.com Moser Memorial Chapel, 2170 N. Somers Avenue, Fremont, NE 68025 402-721-4490

Phyllis Carlson