Barbara Nyreen Phillips was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on August 28, 1925, to Bayard "Ole" Phillips and Julia Moe Phillips.  She gently passed away at Bethesda of Beresford Sunday, September 10, 2017, at the age of 92.  Barbara led a full life, a life in four parts.

Barbara had fond memories of growing up in West Sioux Falls.   "Bobbie" enjoyed fishing with her parents and grew up with lots of aunts and uncles and cousins.  During the Depression, her dad, a lawyer, bartered services for things in short supply, sold fireworks, and even raised mink.  She had a short-lived stint taking accordion lessons and loved that Myron Floren took from the same teacher.  Barbara worked for John Morrell in Sioux Falls and spent a summer working at a resort called Nippersink, in Genoa, WI.  She graduated from Washington High School in 1943.  Next stop was Augustana College for one year, then on to the University of South Dakota, where she was an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta.  She earned her Bachelor's degree in zoology in 1947, and wanted to go to medical school, but at that time her father thought that was foolish, so when a science position opened at Beresford High School, she applied and was hired.

Barbara met Dale Kennedy in front of the Corner Drug Store in Beresford.  After a year of dating, she moved to Minneapolis to work since Dale was not ready to settle down.  Soon after moving, Dale started making the trip to see her many weekends, and in September of 1950, they were married and Barbara, or "Bob" as Dale called her, became a resident of Beresford living in an apartment, then on to a farm house. Their permanent home became the farm across from Brooklyn School, a convenient spot to raise four children.  Barb was one of the first lifeguards for the Beresford pool, and Dale always admired the way she could swim across the pool so smoothly.  Barbara taught and tutored in the evening at Bethesda Children's Home for a while, taught reading and supervised study hall at BHS and also taught science in the junior high.  She was a co-leader in 4-H and taught some of the girls to knit and helped teach square dancing. She was an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, helping with Bible School, Ladies Aid, and later in the Do-Day quilting group.  She knit beautiful hooded sweaters for grandkids and other area young ones, loved gardening and canning, reading and playing cards. Barbara and Dale played bridge and whist, and took turns hosting friends for one or the other.

They loved to dance and moved fluidly together, even as they grew older.  Glen Miller and Tommy Dorsey were favorites.  They traveled to Europe, Sweden, and Alaska.  She loved their car trips and accompanying Dale on Rural Water excursions.  They had an on-going gin rummy game complete with who owed who, and they did the same when going to a casino, sharing the fun, rewards, and occasional losses.  Later in life the two would often throw tackle boxes and poles in the truck and head out to various lakes and rivers.  They eventually moved into town and lived on Elm Street.

After Dale passed, Barbara remained there for two years with the help of Denise Gerstman, and then decided it was time to head to Bethesda where she lived from July 2012 until her death.  The Barb that lived there was often funny, unfiltered, and made friends with many staff and residents.  She usually didn't recall their names, but their smile and laughter, kindness and concern were just what she needed.  Sometimes, in the late afternoon, she would get rather cranky, but then they were tolerant and understanding.  Up until two years ago, she could play Scrabble quite well and could quickly finish a crossword puzzle.  She was tired of knowing she didn't know anything, as she described it and said often that she was the "big tired."  Barbara, enjoy your rest and we will all "see you in the funny papers."

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Dale; her daughter, Sara; her brother, Bayard "Sonny" Phillips; and her parents.  Survivors include Craig Kennedy (Karen Guberman), Julie Skrzypek (P. J.), Lynn Twedt (Ken); grandchildren, Michael, Adam, and Ariel Kennedy; Jessica (Scott) Willmeng, and Jeffrey Skrzypek; Elyssa Twedt (Kelly Woosley) and Kelsey Twedt; two great-grandchildren, Claire Woosley, and Parker Willmeng. Barb had many nieces and nephews, friends, and she loved many of her new friends at Bethesda.

Funeral services will be 10AM Friday, September 15, 2017 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford. Visitation with the family present will be 6-8PM Thursday, September 14, 2017 at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford with a prayer service at 7PM.Donations may be made to the state historical society, Bethesda Activities, Brooklyn Cemetery Fund, or a charity of your choice.