Phyllis L. Vandell

A funeral service for Phyllis L. Vandell will be held on Friday, June 23, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk, Nebraska with Pastor Daren Popple officiating. Interment will follow at the Fridhem Cemetery near Funk.

The funeral service will be recorded and posted to the Fridhem Lutheran Church Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/100064551498381/videos/220164940891623

Phyllis LaGay (Sparks) Vandell, 90 years of age, of Funk, died on Sunday, June 18, 2023, at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege, Nebraska. Phyllis was born in Holdrege on December 22, 1932, the second of three children, born to Arthur and Bertha (Youngquist) Sparks.  Phyllis was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church.  She attended Bunker Hill District #77 rural school and later attended and graduated from Holdrege High School, with the class of 1949. Following her education, Phyllis worked at First National Bank in Holdrege and then spent time as a homemaker, until she began a long career with the postal service.  With every Christmas and Birthday, Phyllis had an open house at the Post Office, where many patrons came for food and fellowship.

On February 14, 1953, she was united in marriage to Charles Robert "Bob" Vandell at Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege.  They lived in Funk celebrating their 70th Wedding Anniversary this year.  This union was blessed with three children: Greg, Trudy, and Teresa.

Phyllis will be remembered for her community service, Meals-on-Wheels, Fourth of July picnic, the Phelps County Museum, and the Funk Improvement Council.  She was an active member of the Fridhem Lutheran Church, the Friendship Club, and the Sommerset Card Club.  Phyllis made lunch with Bob at Country Cookin' and coffee with friends a priority.

Phyllis was very proud of her Swedish heritage!  She was famous for her Duppa, a member of the Tre Kronor Society, and she and Bob were honored to be crowned Phelps County Swedish King and Queen in 2003.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; brothers-in-law:  Ralph Delimont; and Harry Weisman; brothers and sisters-in-law:  Bill and Kathy Vandell; and Jack and Alice Ann Taylor; nephew, John Taylor; and niece, Sonya Vandell.

She leaves to celebrate her life; her husband of 70 years, Bob of Funk; her children: Greg and Rona Vandell and their children:  Troy, Courtney (Tracy), Trevor (Beth), and Caitlin (Pete); Trudy and Jim Ekberg and their children:  Bret (Andrea), and Tanner; and Teresa and David Hohensee and their children:  Tavis (Katie), Chance (Sara), and Walker (Bailee); great-grandchildren: Elle, Drake, Grace, Quinn, Ada, Karter, Halli, Emerson, Mack, and Harlow; two sisters:  JoAnn Wiesman and Beatrice Delimont; nieces:  Patty, Beth, Debbie, Heidi, and Kara; and other relatives, and friends.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Phyllis' honor, and kindly suggested to Fridhem Lutheran Church or the Fridhem Cemetery.

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.