PHYLLIS K. HELGESON, age 93, of Shoreview, formerly of Hills, MN and Scottsdale & Mesa, AZ, called home to be with the Lord on January 1, 2018.​

Phyllis was born and raised in Luverne, MN with her parents, 3 brothers, and sister. She had an adventurous spirit and after graduating from Luverne High School and Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, Phyllis worked as a Pan Am flight attendant for 4 years where she was able to travel the world including flying to New York City, Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, and Japan. She returned home to shoot photography for the Luverne newspaper. 

In 1959, Phyllis married Conley and moved to the Helgeson family farm in Hills, MN. Together Phyllis and Conley had 2 children, Barry and Andrea. While raising her children, Phyllis handled the business end of the family farm and enjoyed growing prize-winning tiger lilies in her garden. After farming for many years, Phyllis and Conley retired as snowbirds to Scottsdale, AZ. After Conley passed in 2000, Phyllis moved to Mesa, AZ where she was able to have a dog for companionship. Phyllis dearly loved dogs and had many canine friends on the farm and in retirement. 

Fun and laughter were a big part of life with Phyllis. She had a great sense of humor and was always up for a good joke or mischievous prank. Some of Phyllis’ many hobbies included real estate, painting, fishing, golfing, and playing cards as well as going to movies and the theater. Her favorite movie was Gone with the Wind. 

Phyllis was preceded in death by husband, Conley, and siblings, William Wendt and Carol Binford. Phyllis is survived by children, Barry (Carla) and Andrea; grandchildren, Amy, John, and Peter; and brothers Robert (Jean) and Kenneth (Betty) Wendt.

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