Phyllis Irene Pomerenke

Phyllis Pomerenke, 86, of Okabena, Minnesota entered into rest on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Lakefield. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Okabena, with Pastor Jeff Sage officiating. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Lakefield City Cemetery. The funeral service will be live streamed on the Osterberg Funeral Home Facebook page.

Masks are required to be worn while inside the church.

Phyllis Irene Eikmeier was born August 19, 1934 in Luverne, Minnesota to Harry and Dorthea (Nuffer) Eikmeier.  She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Evangelical Church of rural Pipestone, Minnesota.  Later in life, she became a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Okabena, Minnesota. 

Phyllis grew up on a farm on the South Dakota/Minnesota border near Jasper, Minnesota.  She was active in 4-H and was very proud of the Angus cattle she would show.  She graduated from Jasper High School and went on to graduate from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Phyllis became a teacher.  She taught in Larchwood, Iowa and then at West Elementary School in Worthington, Minnesota where she retired.  She had a passion for teaching others. 

During her college and early teaching career, she and her cousin Margie, traveled all around the world.  They went to Europe, Australia, Hawaii, Canada and more.  She collected spoons and jewelry from her worldly travels.  Phyllis was also very active in the Business and Professional Women’s Club  Her Worthington Club selected her as Woman of the Year in 1972.  She liked to write poetry, especially poems about the farm.  She also liked to write and collect jokes and puns. 

Knitting became a hobby for Phyllis.  She made many afghans, blankets, booties, and slippers for family members.  Another hobby she had was keeping genealogy books for the Eikmeier family.  She also enjoyed league bowling in Worthington. 

Phyllis was united in marriage to Eldon Herman Pomerenke on June 16, 1973 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Okabena.  Eldon and Phyllis were members of the Turkey Trotters Square Dance Club in Worthington.  They liked to observe the crops in the fields and in the garden on their farm in West Heron Lake Township.   Phyllis kept journals of crop growth and daily weather. 

Phyllis passed away on November 16, 2020 at Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Lakefield, Minnesota.  She was 86 years old.  She had struggled with the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease the last several years.  

Phyllis is survived by brother and sister in laws:  Lois Behrens of Okabena, Bonnie Pomerenke of Lakefield, MaryAnn Pomerenke of Lakefield, Delbert and Janice Pomerenke of Windom, and Robert and Marles Lange of Windom.  She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. 

Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Eldon, and her brother, Lowell. 

Blessed be the memory of Phyllis Irene Pomerenke  

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