Phyllis Irene (Gabrielson) Wertz, 91, of Stuart formerly of Menlo passed away peacefully at the Stuart Community Care Center on January 25, 2023. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, January 30, 2023, at Johnson Family Funeral Home – Stuart chapel. Funeral service will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at the Johnson Family Funeral Home – Stuart Chapel. A burial will follow the services at 2:30 P.M. in Graceland Cemetery in Webster City, Iowa. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Center of America. Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Phyllis was born December 13, 1931, in Stanhope, Iowa to C.A. “Dick” and Mildred Pearl (Frakes) Gabrielson. She attended schools in Boone and graduated as the class valedictorian of Lehigh High School in 1950. She was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Harley Wertz on June 18, 1950, in Fort Dodge and to this union three children were born, Michael, Christine and Gloria. After their marriage they lived and farmed for two years in Evanston, Iowa, Norway, Iowa for 20 years and 3 years in Lucas, Iowa before making their home on a farm north of Menlo in 1975. Harley preceded Phyllis in passing in 2010. On November 9, 2013, Phyllis married Ronald Keating and together they made their home in Stuart. Ron preceded her in passing in 2017. She was a hard worker, helping Harley on the farm throughout their life, worked at the Kopper Kettle for 17 years, and after retiring worked at Johnson Family Funeral Home for several years. While living in Norway, Phyllis was very active within the Norway United Methodist Church and then after moving to Menlo became a member of the Menlo United Methodist Church serving on many committees and boards within the church over the years. In 2013, she started attending the Casey United Methodist Church and then in 2017 started attending the Stuart-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church. Phyllis enjoyed working around the church, sewing, cooking, baking, vacationing, traveling from Price Edwards Islands to China with Harley and spending time with her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, both spouses, daughter Gloria (Les) Braner, brothers Richard and Michael Gabrielson, sister Dixie (Marvin) Johnson, brother Gary Gabrielson and brother-in-law, Dave Stuckey.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her children, Michael (Carol) Wertz of Osage, Iowa and Christine Pace of Stuart; sister, Portia Stuckey of Mesquite, NV; grandchildren, Alan (Tara) Wertz and son Wyatt, Tom Wertz and children, Alexis and Kaylee, Brent Pace and children, Lane and Emily, Jason (Alysen) Pace and children, Bella and Grant, Elizabeth (Nick) Hall and children Aubrey and Hayden, Megan (Tyler) Williams and children, Reagan, Carson and Walker, Zachery (Shannon) Mohling and children Braden, Brody and Kaycee and Devonee Mohling; sister-in-law, Caroline Gabrielson and a host of nieces, nephews and friends all of whom will miss her greatly.
To send flowers in memory of Phyllis Irene Wertz, visit the Tribute Store.
30
Jan
123 North Second Street
Stuart, IA 50250
31
Jan
123 North Second Street
Stuart, IA 50250
A luncheon will follow the service at the Stuart-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church.
31
Jan
1000 Ohio Street
Webster City, IA 50595
Johnson Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services
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