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SWEA CITY -- Phyllis J. Van Berkum died Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, at Valley Vue Care Center in Armstrong, Iowa, at the age of 90 years. A memorial service for her will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, at First United Methodist Church in Swea City, Iowa. Visitation
will be from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, at First United Methodist Church in Swea City. She will be laid to rest at a later date in Harrison Township Cemetery, rural Swea City, Iowa.
Phyllis Jane Van Berkum was born Sept. 4, 1932, in Rock Valley, Iowa, the daughter of Andrew and Marie (Schouten) De Jager.Phyllis attended country grade school and Rock Valley High School. She married Clifford Van Berkum on June 12, 1953, in Rock Valley,
Iowa, and to this union, four children were born: Dennis Marc, Bruce Leigh, Laura Kae, and Todd Allyn. Phyllis's first job was for Iowa Public Service in Rock Valley as a cashier and bookkeeper. She also worked retail for JC Penny in Fairmont, Minn., and the Coast to
Coast store in Swea City. Phyllis volunteered to be a Brownie and Girl Scout leader when Laura was younger. Phyllis was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church in Swea City. She held various positions including financial and church secretary, UMYF leader, UMW circle member, president and other offices in the local UMW. She was also the UMW Spencer District Treasurer. She volunteered for many years as a contestant coordinator, secretary, and official chaperone for the Miss Kossuth-Winnebago Pageant Organization.
Phyllis is survived by her husband, Clifford; her sons, Bruce (Mary), and Todd (Julie); grandchildren, Ryan, Brian, Tyler, and Kaetlin; siblings, Wylma and Andrew Jr.; and son-in-law, Jim Hull. She was preceded in death by her son, Dennis; daughter, Laura; sister, Lois; brother, Vern; and parents, Andrew and Marie De Jager. Online condolences may be left for Phyllis’s family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com