Phyllis Mae (Laechelt) Kockelman was born on July 15, 1931, in Clarkfield, Minnesota, to Walter and Julia (Saltee) Laechelt. She had one brother, Merlyn. Phyllis was baptized on August 9, 1931, and confirmed on March 25, 1945, at Zion Lutheran Church in Tyro Township. She grew up on their farm near Boyd and graduated from Clarkfield High School in 1949. Phyllis married Sylvester B. Kockelman on October 15, 1952, in Watertown, South Dakota. They began farming near Minneota. The couple had two daughters: Nancy who was born in 1953 and Jacqueline in 1955. The family moved to Stony Run Township, near Granite Falls, where they farmed and raised livestock and dairy cows until Sylvester died in 1967. Phyllis continued living on the farm and raised beef cattle for a year until she began working for her father and brother, helping with plowing, cultivating and harvesting each fall. She enjoyed being outdoors, driving tractor and truck and hauling sugar beets for the family farm operation. Phyllis retired from field work when she turned 65. Phyllis left Stony Run Township and moved to a farm near Boyd in 1972 and remained there until moving to Clarkfield in 2000. Phyllis was an expert gardener of vegetables and flowers. For over 30 years, she kept a daily weather and rainfall journal. Spending time outdoors was always very important to her. Phyllis had a strong artistic flair that was evidenced by her years of crafting. She was talented at designing and painting wooden birds, toys and home decorations. She was also skilled at knitting and crocheting and rarely sat still without a pair of knitting needles or a crochet hook in her hands. She was a well known local seamstress for 40 years. She usually had her radio turned to Minnesota Twins games as she sewed and labored at her numerous hobbies. Phyllis was a member of the Stony Run Homemakers Club for 15 years and served as secretary or treasurer during much of that period. She was also an active member and former officer of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 169. Phyllis enjoyed working in the Home Activities Department of the Yellow Medicine County Fair. She was a familiar presence at the fair for 59 years, only missing the very hot summer of 1955 when her younger daughter, Jacque, was born. Phyllis died during what was to have been her 60th year of service at the fair. Phyllis looked forward to her church's annual Harvest Festival Fundraiser where she helped make and package hundreds of donuts each fall. Recently, Phyllis was involved in various women's groups and Bible study at Clarkfield Lutheran Church. Phyllis passed away on Friday, July 29, 2011, at the Clarkfield Care Center, 14 days after her 80th birthday. She was preceded in death by husband Sylvester, father Walter, mother Julia and brother Merlyn. She is survived by daughters Nancy Hovlid and her husband Jeff of Howard Lake, Minnesota; and Jacque Milnes of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; and granddaughters Cassie Milnes Martsching and her husband Kyle of Lincoln, Nebraska; Kara Milnes of Walla Walla, Washington; and Marisa Hovlid of San Diego, California. Memorial Service for Phyllis Kockelman Saturday, August 6, 2011, 10:30 a.m. Clarkfield Care Center, Clarkfield, Minnesota Officiating, Pastor Christopher R. Zuraff Pianist, Arlene Benson Prelude, "Because He Lives" Congregational Hymns "My Jesus, I Love Thee" "What A Friend We Have in Jesus" "It is Well with My Soul" Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891