Obituary of Phyllis Jean Kimler

Phyllis Jean Kimler, 76, of Newton, passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at her home. Burial will be in the Newton Union Cemetery, Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. Memorial service for Phyllis will be 10:30 am, Tuesday, April 24, at the First Lutheran Church in Newton. Pence - Reese Funeral Home in Newton, have been entrusted with the arrangements. A time of Fellowship and Lunch with the family will be held at the First Lutheran Church following the services. Memorials are being designated in Phyllis' name to First Lutheran Church. Phyllis the daughter of Egbert "Dutch" and Evelyn Mae (Durr) Kingma, was born January 9, 1936, in Newton. She was a graduate of the Newton Senior High, Class of 1954. She went on to receive her AA degree from Stephen's College in 1956 and later a BA degree from the University of Iowa in 1958. Phyllis taught school for thirty eight years, in the Des Moines and Newton areas. On June 6, 1959, Phyllis was united in marriage with Jim Kimler. Her husband Jim would precede her in death. On November 30, 1973, she married Norman Lanphier. She had devoted her life to her family and friends, and was a member of the First Lutheran Church, Goodcheer Group, Martha Circle, NEA and ISEA, education organizations and K Chapter of Tri-T. She enjoyed traveling with her family, music and reading. Phyllis was a kind and warm hearted lady, and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; both of her husbands; and a brother Bud Kingma on June 30, 2009. Those left to honor Phyllis' memory include her son Jamie Kimler of Springfield, Missouri; a sister Colleen McLeod of California; her niece Lisa McLeod of Washington; and her many friends.