Phyllis Rae (Schrag) Bovill was born October 27, 1942, at home to Clarice (Waltner) and Elmer Schrag. She was the oldest of four siblings whom she loved her entire life. They became her closest friends and confidants. They enjoyed playing after the work was done, telling stories, and being together. As a child, she attended Brookside District #65 through the eighth grade followed by Freeman Academy where she graduated in 1960. She made friends in school, many of whom she still stayed in touch with even recently. After high school, she attended the Presentation School of Nursing where she attained her nursing degree. She met her future husband, George Bovill, through a neighbor of his who she was caring for in the hospital. He took a school picture from her to George. On August 16, 1964, they were married at the Salem-Zion Mennonite church in Freeman, South Dakota.

Phyllis and George raised three daughters on their farm north of Beresford. She was very active in every church they attended and enjoyed being part of the women's groups, worship teams, and Bible studies. She loved reading the Bible and learning about God. After George accepted Jesus into his life, she convinced him to read the Bible with her every day and pray together. This is when they really became close. They were able to face difficult things together including losing the family farm, their daughter Lynnette dying, and eventually moving to town. Through all of it, reading the Bible together was a constant.

George had insisted that Phyllis stay home to take care of the children. When Donna and Lynnette were in high school, Phyllis began the process of renewing her nursing license. In the meantime, she worked at the Alcester grocery store. When she received her renewal, she worked as a nurse at the Hudson nursing home and eventually Bethesda where she worked until she retired.

In 1991, they opened their hearts and home to three foster siblings, Deryl, Lisa, and Christine, who became part of the family. Phyllis felt God's call on her life to become a pastor during this time, which she did. She was ordained and then served as pastor of Living Word Fellowship. Her ministry included Thursday morning devotions and some Sunday afternoon chapel services at Bethesda. When George became ill and moved into Bethesda, Phyllis became a regular visitor of residents, bringing words of encouragement to them. She enjoyed playing the piano and often helped other pastors with that part of the chapel service as well as playing for special programs there. This continued while she could still do it, even after George passed away in 2019. She loved the residents of Bethesda and the others in the community she visited.  Many "Good News" articles for the Beresford Republic were written by her. In her later years, she connected with the congregation of Set Free where she enjoyed many conversations with Pastor Mike and Ruth and other members about God's word.

Phyllis enjoyed sewing, crafting, writing, drawing, and painting. She made many pictures with the grandkids and wrote personal stories in addition to the articles for the paper. She self-published a few of these for family and friends. She also loved gardening. She had an amazing vegetable garden and several flowerbeds on the farm. When she and George moved to town, she built up her town garden. Many people walked by, paused, and commented on the beauty. Truthfully, she felt the closest to God while working out there.

Phyllis was a wonderful grandmother to her grandchildren. She looked forward to their visits, encouraging them in their activities and loving them. Phyllis and George both passed on their knowledge, convictions, and skills to their grandchildren, who all emulate them in different ways.

In 2019, she became ill. Breast cancer had returned in her bones after 20 years of remission. She lost her fight with cancer on April 2, 2022 at the age of 79 years.

Among those who gratefully shared her life are her siblings and their families Renee (Darrell) Hartman, Ken (Claire) Schrag, and Rita (Richard) Hicks; her daughters, Nancy (Daniel) Piner and Donna Marie (David) Neuman; grandchildren, Michaela Piner, George Neuman, Ciara Neuman, Chase Neuman, and Qeleigh Neuman; and her foster son, Deryl (Jamie) Miles and their daughter, Faith; and the families of Lisa Snoozy and Christine McKay.

Given the opportunity, she would tell anyone who would listen still to share God's love with each other. She is already greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM Friday, April 8, 2022 at Set Free Church in Beresford, SD with burial to follow at Zion Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00PM Thursday, April 7th at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford with a prayer service at 7:00PM. Memorials may be directed to KNWC, Union Gospel Mission or Feeding SD at Set Free Church.