Phyllis D. Carlson was born October 2, 1931 to Ralph and Minnie (Boekhoff) Wessels in rural Chancellor, SD. She died with her daughter at her side December 8, 2010 at her home in Sioux Falls at the age of 79 years, two months and six days.

Phyllis attended country schools and graduated from Worthing High School in 1949. She married Emil Carlson June 2, 1950 at Brooklyn Evangelical Free Church. They lived in the Beresford area where Phyllis worked in the dietary department at Bethesda of Beresford and as a housekeeper at Crossroads Motel.

Emil died February 3, 1999. Due to serious health concerns, Phyllis moved to Sioux Falls in 2001 where she has lived with her daughter. Phyllis has suffered many health issues. Through it all she continued to trust her Lord and Savior. She was an inspiration and blessing to all who knew her.

She is survived by her daughter, Pam Carlson of Sioux Falls, extended family and friends. Her parents, husband, brother, Eugene Wessels and sister, Florene Hanson preceded her in death.

Funeral services for Phyllis will be 2PM Saturday, December 11, 2010 at Brooklyn Evangelical Free Church, rural Beresford. Visitation was Friday 2-8PM at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford with the family present from 6-8PM and a prayer service at 7PM.


In addition to her aunts, uncles and cousins; Pam wishes to acknowledge with great appreciation the help and support given to her over the years she cared for her mother: Paula Bartels, Edie Diedrich, Vickie Knudson, Debby Lessmann, Rev. Detlov Lindquist, Nancy Mochel, Carol Thissell and Patty and Connie Twedt.