Phyllis Joanne Jacobs was born on August 23, 1928 in Omaha, Nebraska to Frank and Carmelita (Sund) Bithell. She attended school in Omaha and graduated from North High in 1946.
On December 3, 1949, Phyllis married the love of her life, Eugene “Bud” Jacobs. To this union two daughters were born: Debra and Barbara. Bud was a veteran of the United States Navy and an active member of VFW Post 2503 in Omaha. Phyllis was a member of the VFW Post 2503 Auxiliary where she spent countless hours volunteering and making many lifelong friends. One of the many recognitions that Phyllis received for her selfless giving was the Betsy Ross Honor; an award given to her the hours and hours she spent mending American flags for the post.
Phyllis and Bud enjoyed many trips with friends to Otter Tail Lake in Minnesota. Bud was always the driver; in 94 years of life, Phyllis never had a drivers license but that never stopped them from taking many trips around the country and making fantastic memories with the couple’s close friend group. Phyllis and Bud always looked forward to Christmas, together they would make peanut brittle for friends and family. Bud passed away in 2005 and in 2011, Phyllis moved to McCook, Nebraska where she could be close to her daughter, Barb and her grandchildren. Phyllis shared a birthday with a very famous cartoon mouse, and for this reason she spent most of her life collecting Mickey Mouse memorabilia.
Phyllis passed away Monday evening, July 10, 2023 at the Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, her family was at her side. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Eugene “Bud” Jacobs; her brother, Donald Bithell; and a son-in-law, Gary Bowman.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Debra Bowman of Brandon, South Dakota and Barbara Ostrum of McCook; six grandchildren: Chris (Bonnie Shuck) Bowman of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Andrea (Garry) Harms of McCook, Becki (Troy) Woehl of Aberdeen, South Dakota, Russell Ostrum of Lincoln, Nebraska, James (Nicole) Bowman of Aberdeen, and Sarah (Mark) Kinne of McCook; 17 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandsons; several nieces, nephews, many fur-grandbabies and her extended family.
Cremation was chosen and graveside services will be held at 10AM on Saturday, September 9th, 2023 at Forrest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska.
Memorials are suggested to Community HealthCare and Hospice of McCook. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.