Gwen Phillips
1927 - 2020
Gwen Phillips 93, died Wednesday,
December 16, 2020 at Asbury Park in Newton. She was born November 10,
1927 in Jacksonville, Florida to Evan and Viola Richards. On May 22,
1949 she married John W. Phillips at Newton and he preceded her in
death on September 2, 2014.
Gwen was a member of the Salem United
Methodist Church in Newton and worked as a Para-Educator at Newton
High School for over 20 years. She had a love of teaching kids and
especially enjoyed connecting with kids and taking personal time to
teach kids struggling in various subjects.
She was known for her good cooking
enjoyed being a farm wife and cooking for the help during harvest
time. Gwen was a social person and kept up with her friends on the
phone. She enjoyed crocheting and embroidery and also had a
collection of small dog figurines she acquired thought the years. One
of her fondest memories was helping her husband build their home in
1952 getting the worst sunburn of her life.
Her greatest joy was being a loving
wife and mother and caring for her friends and family.
She is survived by her daughter Marci
Phillips and adopted son Tan Lee and his family. Grandchildren
Stephanie and Gary Merritt and Kristin and Spike Anderson and several
great grandchildren. She also leaves behind a legacy of the many
children she taught and guided through life.
Gwen is preceded in death by her
parents, husband, son Monte, brother Tom Richards and infant sister
Ida Richards.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions a private
family service will be held at Petersen Funeral Home followed by a
burial in the Greenwood Cemetery Newton.
Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd
Hospice or Caring Hands Humane Society in care of Petersen Funeral
Home.
