Phyllis Elaine Lau
November 13, 1931 - June 30, 2024
Memorial Service
- Date: July 12, 2024
- Time: 10:30 a.m.
- Location: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Myrtle, MN
Phyllis Elaine Lau, age 92, formerly of Northwood, IA, surrounded by family, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage, IA. A memorial service for Phyllis will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 12, 2024, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Myrtle, MN. The visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Wanderer’s Rest Cemetery, Gordonsville, MN. Schroeder-Hoff Funeral Home of Northwood is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.schroederfuneralhomes.com. For the past five years, Phyllis was lovingly cared for by her daughter, Deb and husband in Carpenter, IA and as Deb would say - "I was the caregiver, and my sister Diane and husband were the prayer warriors." Phyllis was born on Friday, November 13, 1931, in Hay River, Dunn County, WI to James and Mabel (Jones) Myers. When she was 9, the family would move to a farm in MN and then eventually to a farm by Northwood, IA. She learned to play the piano by practicing on a "pump organ." She attended country schools and Northwood High School where she played French horn at school events such as concerts and marching band, graduating in 1950. After graduation, she worked at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea, MN. On October 29, 1950, at Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church, she married Willis Lau and they would begin their life on a farm by Glenville, MN. She worked alongside her husband on the farm and could drive a tractor or milk a cow just as good as any fella! Phyllis was a great cook and as we used to say, "from scratch" would prepare many meals and baked good treats for her family and company. Her gardens produced many vegetables, especially cucumbers. She froze and canned a variety of vegetables, and many got a jar of her great dill pickles and those good lime pickles. Later years, she became known as the "Lefse Lady" making many rounds of the treat every Christmas. Phyllis also found her niche at the Northwood Care Center serving residents and taking time to visit them. She and her husband enjoyed the Polka or any good dance, which led them to form a State Line Polka Hop group which they taught and performed with for several years. They were also active in a bowling and card club group. She cherished moments with her family and teaching her grandkids to dance and how to make Lefse. Phyllis enjoyed quilting, sewing, embroidery, and reading. She spent 40 winters in Fiesta Village, Mission, TX, where she met new friends and welcomed many relatives. She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the Mary Circle. Her mornings were spent in devotional and prayer time. Phyllis is survived by her two daughters, Diane (Darwin) Hanson and Debra (David) Bublitz; 12 grandchildren, Chad (Deana) Hanson, Brad (Val) Hanson, Dustin Hanson, Cory Hanson, Tina (Shane) Anderson, Tony (Amber) Lau, Tara (Landon) Ring, Tally (Terrance) Fink, Diana (Robert) Zamarripa, Nick (Tricia) Bublitz, Jerry Bublitz, and Angie (John) Mensink; 34 great grandchildren; 18 great-great grandchildren; a sister, Bonnie (Richard) Grass; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding Phyllis in death was her husband, Willis and their son, James; parents, James and Mabel Myers; sisters and brothers-in-law, Ferne (Glenn) Virchow, Irma (Dale) Wallin, and infant sister, Betty; in-laws, Art (Ethel) Lau, Virgil (Gen) Lau, Madeline (Jim) Hulshizer, Archie (Lois) Lau, Bjorn Nelson; nephews, Bruce Virchow, David Lau, and Ronnie Lau. Worried about dying? Don’t. You can live forever – all you have to worry about is location, location, location. There is absolutely nothing more important in your life right now than making sure you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior – a free gift. AMEN.
