Phyllis D. Dresow

Phyllis Darlene Dresow, 89, entered eternal life on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 following a battle with ovarian cancer.  She passed away peacefully in the presence of her family at Havenwood of Minnetonka.  She lived most of her life in Wabasso, Minnesota.  Private family services will be held with a Facebook livestream at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 22, 2021 on Stephens Funeral Service Facebook page.  Interment will be in the Vesta Cemetery open to all family and friends following the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to be sent in her memory to the Wabasso Lions or Commercial Club (please call 507-342-5519), the American Cancer Society (https://tinyurl.com/acs-phyllisdresow), or the Animal Humane Society (https://tinyurl.com/ahs-phyllisdresow).  Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Phyllis was born on January 5, 1932 in the family farmhouse in Vesta Township, located in Redwood County, Minnesota to Max Marquardt and Freida (Stage) Marquardt.  A proud country girl at heart, she grew up on the farm with siblings Maxine and Delmar.  In 1953, she met Clarence Dresow and fell in love with the man who would later become her husband.  They were married May 15, 1955 at St. Johns’ Lutheran in Vesta, Minnesota.  Partners in the truest sense of the word, Phyllis and Clarence were a portrait of a family-focused and selfless marriage.  They were co-owners of The Dutchmans, a local bar in Wabasso.  Phyllis also worked at Bernardy’s Food Market in Wabasso and, most proudly, served as a school bus driver for Independent School District #640, Wabasso for 22 years.  Some of Phyllis’ most treasured moments were volunteering as a church organist and tending to her big and beautiful flower garden.  Phyllis loved her family, church, and all that life brought her.  Her hobbies included square dancing, bowling, crocheting, playing the accordion and piano, having a beer, and card-playing with family.  Though Phyllis had dementia the last few years of her life, and could not always come up with a name, she always knew when she was in the presence of her family.  Phyllis brought love and jokes to any situation, always making those in her company laugh and feel loved.  Phyllis’ family extends their heart-filled thanks to the wonderful caregivers at Havenwood of Minnetonka.  They loved all of her jokes, or at least laughed at her jokes.  She was their jokester and her family will miss the sincere care they brought to the family.

Phyllis is survived by her three children: Keith (Maria) of Northfield, Kathi (Jim) Manke of Plymouth, and Kevin (Stacy) of Lonsdale; and seven grandchildren: Max (Emily) Dresow, Molly Schlieff, Emily Schlieff, Joshua Dresow, Benjamin Dresow, Ava Dresow, and Alaina Dresow.  Phyllis is preceded in death by her beloved parents Max and Freida, husband Clarence, siblings Maxine and Delmar.