Theodora "Teddy" Phillips

Theodora June Phillips completed her earthly journey October 22, 2009 and slipped peacefully into the presence of the Lord after a brief illness with pancreatic cancer. Teddy was born July 3, 1931 at Beloit, Kansas to George W. and Daisy (Brummer) Phillips and grew up on the family farm near Cawker City, Kansas that had been homesteaded by her great-grandparents. She graduated from Beloit High School and attended college at Kansas State University. May 11, 1951 she married, Clifton J. Stoner of Concordia, Kansas and they made their 1st home in Grand Island, Nebraska where her son Dennis and daughter Dawn were born. During that time and again several years later, she worked at the Cornhusker Ordnance Plant. In 1957, the family moved to Longmont, Colorado where Teddy began her career as a bookkeeper for C& H Furniture. She was active in Community Theater and a founding member of the Trojan Athletic Booster Club during the late 60's and early 70's. Teddy remarried and, after her children were grown, she moved to South Dakota where she continued as a bookkeeper for Cargill, Inc. in Trent and later Wyland Construction of Dell Rapids. Eventually Teddy returned to Longmont, where she was active in the Longmont Christian Singles for many years, gaining from and providing support for old and new friends alike. During this time, she worked at Johnson Engineering in Boulder where her efforts helped support the development of the space station. In an adventurous spirit, Teddy moved to Gardiner, Montana and worked in Yellowstone National Park before retiring to Bullhead City, Arizona. As with all her other locations, Teddy made many dear friends, was loved for her kind and gentle nature and her great listening skills, and appreciated for her hospitality. The last four years Teddy had returned to Trent to be near family and enjoy the simple pleasures of canning, craft projects, and wonderful friends. She was always a friendly face at the Trent Post Office counter where she worked part-time.
Preceding Teddy in death were her parents, brother George Jr., her Aunt Toots (Esther Norton Christolear), and other family members dear to her.

Grateful for the joy and love she brought to their lives are her family: son and daughter-in-law Dennis & Debbie Stoner of Bozeman, Montana; daughter and son-in-law Dawn & Jim Olson of Flandreau , SD ; grandchildren Brady Olson of Sioux Falls, SD and Jamie Olson of Mequon , WI.; step-grandson, Brian (Candice) Olson and famiily; nephews Howard Phillips of St. Louis, MO; Brian Phillips of Fairbury, NE; George Phillips of Belleview, KS; JD Phillips of Cawker City, Kansas; extended family and many special friends too numerous to mention by name.

Her funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at the Trent Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday at Kahler Funeral Home, Dell Rapids. The family will be present at 6:00 p.m. and a Prayer Service will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Interment will be at 10:00 AM Monday, October 26 in Prairie Grove Cemetery in Cawker City, KS. McDonald-Roberts Funeral Service is handling the interment services.

In lieu of flowers, Teddy requested memorials be sent to the Trent Area Scholarship fund through the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, 300 N. Phillips Avenue, Suite 102, Sioux Falls, SD 57104-6035, the Dougherty Hospice House, 4509 Prince of Peace Place, PO Box 5045, Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5045 or a place of particular regard for the donor