Phyllis Margaret Johnson Hill

On Friday, January 20, 2023, Phyllis Johnson Hill, loving mother and grandmother, passed away at age eighty-seven. Phyllis was born on July 12, 1935 to Virgil and Margaret (Melvin) Johnson in Tyler, MN. Visitation will be held Sunday, January 29 from 4-6 pm at Bailes Polk Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Monday, January 30, 11:00 am at Assumption Catholic Church with Father Peter Jandaczek officiating.

Phyllis was born on July 12, 1935 to Margaret and Virgil Johnson in Tyler, MN. Shortly after she was born the Johnson family moved to Balaton, MN where she spent her childhood. Phyllis had many happy memories spending the first twelve years of her life living on a farm with her five siblings. The second half of her childhood was spent living above the family café where Phyllis spent many hours helping her mother bake their famous pies. When she wasn't helping in the café, she was a popular and busy student. She loved playing the cornet in the school band and held first-chair in the brass section during her last three years of school. She was also the lead in numerous school plays, sang in the choir, and graduated third in her class in 1953.

Her intelligence and hard work paid off when she was awarded a full scholarship to the McKennan School of Nursing in Aberdeen, SD. Phyllis loved nursing school and was very grateful to have the opportunity. She often stated that nursing school changed her life and opened her world to new and exciting adventures. After graduating from nursing school in 1956, with ten cents in her pocket, she moved to California. It was in California that she met the father of her children. Her husband, Jim Mansker, was in the Navy and as is the nature of the military they often relocated. Phyllis enjoyed the opportunity to work in multiple hospitals around the country. She often recalled her favorite nursing position was that of a labor & delivery and neonatal nurse.

Although Phyllis loved nursing, she was most proud her four children. Her son, Andrew, was born in 1958 and her twin daughters Julia and Jenifer were born two days short of a full year later in 1959. In her "over-achiever" style, Phyllis did the seemingly impossible, and had three children in less than a year! Finally, her daughter Mary Beth completed their family and was born five years later in 1964. Husband Jim was often away for military duty and Phyllis was left to care for their children alone. Raising her babies all by herself was challenging but also very rewarding. After Jim left the Navy, the family settled in Cyril, Oklahoma.

While living in Cyril she was a nurse and later the administrator for Cyril Nursing Home. She worked as a nurse for 18 years before receiving her Nursing Home Administrators Licensing. In 1975, Phyllis married Ben Hill and moved to Duncan, OK where she was the administrator for the Duncan Care Center Nursing Home for 10 years before retiring. While living in Duncan she was a 35-year member of Assumption Catholic Church. She often spoke fondly of her time married to Ben and living in Duncan. In 2011, Phyllis moved to Oklahoma City to be near family.

Phyllis was known for her pragmatic nature, quick-witted humor and kind and generous spirit. She always started her day with a strong cup of black coffee and ended it cooking for whoever was in her sphere. Many remember her as always being busy, attending social functions, helping her family and friends, caring for her parents, and traveling. She loved being on the go and was always up for a new adventure. She never missed a chance to have fun and celebrate life!

Phyllis had many titles in life: daughter, musician, scholar, actress, nurse, wife, friend, mother, and grandmother. She spent her lifetime collecting wonderful people and experiences. Yet, it is not what she collected, but what she poured out, that has left us changed for the better. Thinking of Phyllis, may we remember all the love, excitement, humor, and joy she showered on all who knew her.

Her memory lives on with her children: son, Andrew Mansker and wife Jillian, daughters Julie McCormick Smith and Mary Mansker Sundberg; her grandchildren, Jenifer Davis and husband Dodd, James McCormick and wife Jessica, Maggie Mizar and husband David, Megan Wiltse, Ryan Wiltse and Zane Sundberg; great-grandchildren, Olivia and Roman Davis, Maddie and Lincoln McCormick, Devon and Mina Mizar; and brother, Mike Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Margaret Johnson; daughter, Jenifer Wiltse; great-grandson, Bronson Davis; sister, Donna Willard and brothers' Wally, Wayne and Doug Johnson; and son-in-law, Newman Smith.