Phyllis J Wilsey

Memorial Services for Phyllis J. Wilsey will be held at the Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney, Nebraska, (1623 Central Ave.) on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Michelle Reed, officiating. Inurnment will be held in the Oxford Cemetery in Oxford, Nebraska at 2:30 p.m.

Phyllis Jean (Rowe) Wilsey, 76 years of age, of Kearney (formerly of Oxford), passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2011 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Phyllis was born on March 13, 1935 at Omaha, Nebraska, the second of four children born to Willis and Bernice (Burnard) Rowe. She received her education in Omaha, graduating from South High School in Omaha with the class of 1952. On August 23, 1952 she was united in marriage to Clarence James Wilsey at Omaha and to this union three children were born: Philip, Joy, and Allan. The couple first made their home in Omaha and in 1956 they moved Oxford, where Clarence was employed in a Pharmacy. After the children were in school, Phyllis attended Kearney State College for three years majoring in sociology and art. From 1974 to 1979 she worked as a social service worker for the Furnas County Welfare Dept. in Beaver City, Nebraska. From 1992 to 1997 she was the Executive Director for the Oxford Housing Authority. Throughout the years she also helped out at their pharmacy.

When the children were young, Phyllis volunteered as a Girl Scout leader. She enjoyed painting, yard work, and traveling. Over the years the family also enjoyed hosting five exchange students and later traveled to visit several of these students in their home country.

Phyllis was a member of the United Methodist Church in Oxford, where she was past president of United Methodist Women, Sunday school teacher and served on many church committees.

Besides her parents, Phyllis was preceded in death by her daughter, Joy Smith; one brother, Duane Rowe; and one sister, Margaret Rowe.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Clarence of Kearney; two children: Philip Wilsey and his wife, Kim of Grand Island, Nebraska, and Dr. Allan Wilsey and his wife, Janice of Papillion, Nebraska; seven grandchildren: Amy Govier and her husband, Trey of Lincoln, Nebraska, Nicholas Smith and his wife, Brenda of Holdrege, Nebraska, Allan Smith and his wife, Robin of Wilcox, Nebraska, Mieke Matzner and her husband, Chad of Grand Island, Tony Wilsey and his wife, Megan of Franklin, Nebraska, Justin Wilsey and Andrew Wilsey both of Papillion; twelve great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Dan Smith of Beaver City; one sister, Myrna Watson of Athens, Texas; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

There will be no visitation, the family is honoring Phyllis' wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in her memory and will be designated at a later date.

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

Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.