Phyllis Maaske

A visitation for Phyllis M. (Gardine) Maaske will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska; per CDC guidelines to the recommendation of 10 people or less in the facility at one time .

A private family Mass of Christian Burial and Rosary will be held Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.  Private interment will take place at Moses Hill Cemetery in rural Phelps, Nebraska. At a later date, publication for a public Memorial Mass will be announced at an appropriate time.

Phyllis Mae (Fox) Maaske, 90 years of age, of Bertrand, Nebraska, passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2020, at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege.  Phyllis was born January 17, 1930, at Lexington, Nebraska, the second of three children to Edward Paul and Antonia Emma (Seifert) Fox.  She received her primary education from District #69 school near Bertrand until the 4 ^th grade, and then attended District #21.  Phyllis then completed her education from Bertrand High School, graduating with the class of 1947.

On April 23, 1950, Phyllis was united in marriage to Harry D. Gardine at Smithfield, Nebraska, and to this union three children were born:  Connie, Steve, and Michael.  When the children were young, Phyllis focused her efforts caring for their needs, and later began house cleaning for others.  On December 4, 1982, Harry passed away unexpectedly of a massive heart attack at the age of 55.  In 1984, she purchased the "Alley Cat" in Bertrand.  Phyllis and her family operated the successful bowling alley and restaurant for several years.

On December 20, 1986, Phyllis was united in marriage to Kenneth E. Maaske.  The couple made their home in Bertrand, where Phyllis enjoyed assisting Kenneth on the farm, and in return Kenneth worked side-by-side with her operating the bowling alley.  Kenneth passed away on May 18, 1991.

Phyllis' hobbies were traveling, attending dances, and loved to play cards.  In her spare time, she enjoyed volunteering with the Blood Mobile, the Bertrand Nursing Home, and the Young at Heart Senior Center in Bertrand.  Phyllis was a devoted member of the St. John's Catholic Church in Smithfield; active with the Altar Society; enjoyed friendships in Extension Club; and was a charter member of the Eagle's Auxiliary.

Besides her parents, and two husbands; Phyllis was preceded in death by: her daughter, Connie Brooks; granddaughter, Amy Furlong; brothers:  LaVern Fox as a small child; and Leon Fox and his wife, Lorraine; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law:  Roy and Hildur Gardine; Earl and Viola Gardine; Ruby and Bill Richardson; Ruth Dodson and Robert D. Winkler.

Phyllis leaves to celebrate her life; her sons:  Mike Gardine and his wife, Mary Jane; and Steve Gardine and his wife, Jennifer all of Bertrand; son-in-law, Paul Brooks of Bertrand; 10 grandchildren:  Chad Brooks and his wife, Jenell; Angela Neill and her husband, Ross; Dustin Brooks and his wife, Bernadette; Tabatha Thorell and her husband, Tracy; Cassie Kreitman and her husband, Josh; Colby Gardine and his wife, Anna; Ryan Gardine and his wife, Amanda; Shelby Loeffelholz and her husband, Logan; Dallas Gardine and Cheyenne Gardine; 24 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law:  Albert Gardine of Arvada, Colorado; Delores and Leland Schneider; Hazel Fox; and Theone Winkler all of Holdrege; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A memorial has been established in Phyllis' honor, and kindly suggested to the St. John's Catholic Church in Smithfield or to the Bertrand Fire & Rescue.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.