Phyllis Louise Rekemeyer

Phyllis Louise Rekemeyer, age 83, of Albia, IA, passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at the Monroe County Hospital in Albia, surrounded by her loved ones, under the care of Care Initiatives Hospice. Phyllis was born in Cherokee, IA, to Joseph Ray and Marie (Anderson) Smith. She grew up attending school and graduated from Cherokee High School. Phyllis then attended Iowa State University in Ames, where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics. On May 27, 1962, she was united in marriage to Ross Rekemeyer at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Cherokee and to this union, 3 children were born, Daniel, DeAnn, and Michael. Phyllis and Ross were blessed with 62 years of marriage prior to her passing. Phyllis taught Jr. High Home Economics at the Roland-Story Community School District before moving to Albia where she worked in food service for the school district for 10 years. She then went back to teaching Home Economics in Chariton before retiring in 2001. Phyllis served as co-chair and longtime member of the Monroe County Cattleman’s Association. She was very generous with her time and very active with 4-H as a leader for many years as well as judging at county fairs. She loved serving as the Monroe County Hawk-eye for Our Iowa Magazine. Phyllis was extremely creative and had an eye for designing and remodeling homes. She was a great seamstress who enjoyed sewing and quilting and loved making baby quilts as gifts for others. She also enjoyed being outdoors, gardening, and fishing. Above all else, her true joy in life was spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. Phyllis is survived by her husband, Dr. Ross Rekemeyer; two children, Daniel (Natalie) Rekemeyer and DeAnn (Shawn) McAninch; five grandchildren, RaeAnna, William (Jacinta), Jordan, Connor and Erin; four siblings, Joseph Smith, Wanda Moller, Lowell Smith, Hallie Dessel; and two sisters-in-law, Anne Smith and Susie Hillman. Phyllis is preceded in death by her son, Michael; her parents, Joseph Ray and Marie Smith, and a brother, Bill. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Phyllis’s family present throughout to greet family and friends. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia with Pastor John Sowers officiating. A private family burial will be held at a later date. A memorial has been established to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Phyllis’s family would like to offer special thanks to all of the nurses and staff at the Monroe County Hospital and Care Initiatives Hospice for their kindness and excellent care of Phyllis. Condolences and memories to the family may be left online at www.tharpfh.com.

Phyllis Louise Rekemeyer

July 20, 1940 - July 7, 2024