Phyllis Jean Vangsnes was born on May 4, 1930 to Anna (Selland) and Joseph Augustin in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She died at the age of 88 on Monday, April 29, 2019 at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby, North Dakota.

Phyllis Jean was raised in Rugby and attended Rugby Public Schools graduating as valedictorian, class of 1948. She was united in marriage to George Vangsnes on September 22, 1948 in Rugby.  The couple moved shortly thereafter to a farm southwest of Rugby. Three children were born while they resided on the farm. The family moved in to Rugby in 1957.

Phyllis worked at the Pierce County Tribune, was an officer at Citizens State Bank, and worked as a legal secretary for Butz Law Offices. She was an active member of First Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday school, serving on the church council, participating in circle and singing in the choir. Phyllis was a member of the Legionettes, women’s club, and homemakers. Upon retirement she was active in the hospital auxiliary and Red Hat Society.

She is survived by sons; David (Dianne) and Donald (Marcia) both of Gilbert, AZ, a daughter Peggy (Tom) of Loveland, CO, a grandson, Erik (Nora) of Oakland, CA, a granddaughter, Ann (Stephen) Montemayor of Minneapolis, MN, a brother, Don Augustin of Mission Viejo, CA, other friends and relatives. She was preceded in death by her mother Anna, father Joseph, and husband, George (March 25, 2015).

In honor and memory of Phyllis, please feel free to wear purple.  Memorials may be made in her honor to the Haaland Estates in Rugby.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 4 at the First Lutheran Church in Rugby with burial in the Persilla Watts Cemetery, Rugby.  Pastor Sharon Baker, officiating. 

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday with a prayer service and sharing of memories beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby.  Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the time of services at the church on Saturday.