Phyllis Jean Nelson

Phyllis Jean Nelson East Lansing Passed away at Sparrow Hospital on September 10, 2009. Phyllis was born in East Lake on February 26, 1924, the youngest child of John Rykala and Kathryn Olszewski Rykala. She was predeceased by her parents, and her brothers, Theodore and Stanley Rykala. Growing up in East Lake, Phyllis and her brothers worked at the family general store which they later donated to the Michigan State University Museum. It remains on permanent display as Stanley's Crossroads Store in honor of her brother who was killed in WWII. Phyllis graduated from Manistee High School in 1940 at the age of 16 and went on to graduate in music education from Michigan State College in 1944. She later earned her master's degree from Michigan State University in 1969. On August 29, 1946, she married her high school sweetheart Henry Nelson from Manistee and the couple settled in East Lansing. After graduating from MSC, Phyllis started her teaching career with Williamston Community Schools and then spent many years as an elementary vocal music teacher in East Lansing retiring in 1983. She was a specialist in the Orff philosophy of music education traveling overseas to study and giving numerous clinics and workshops. She authored several books for elementary music teachers based on the Orff philosophy, foremost of which was "The Michigan Song Bag" published in 1986. After retiring from teaching, Phyllis continued her work in music with the Lansing Matinee Musicale arranging and directing programs. She was working on several of the group's upcoming presentations at the time of her death. In addition to her career in the public schools, Phyllis was a charter member of Edgewood United Church where she served as choir director for many years. Phyllis was a member of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association and the Michigan Music Educator's Association which chose her as their Elementary Music Teacher of the Year in 1978. She belonged to the Michigan State University Alumni Association, the Michigan State University Alumni Band, the Association for the Advancement of Retired People, and the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel Surviving Phyllis are her husband, Henry; daughters, Christine (Bruce Ronda) Nelson of Ft. Collins, CO; Kathy (E. Thomas) Fitzgerald of Owosso; son, Jack (Nancy) Nelson of Williamston; granddaughter, Mary Kate Fitzgerald of Chicago; and grandsons, Michael Nelson of Chicago and Matthew Nelson of Northville. Phyllis has given the gift of her body to the willed body donor program at Michigan State University. A memorial service will be held November 22 at 2 pm at Edgewood United Church in East Lansing. Memorial contributions may be made to Lansing Matinee Musicale c/o LLM President Joan Wierzba 1268 Harbor Cut, Okemos 48864-3499.