Phyllis J. Ailts

Phyllis J. Ailts, 93, of Flandreau, SD, passed away, Saturday, January 1, 2022 at her farm home near Flandreau under hospice care surrounded by her four daughters. Phyllis was born on April 3, 1928 at the family farm near Flandreau to Adolph and Mary (Petersen) Beyer. She attended Tidd Country School and graduated from Egan High School in 1946. She worked at Sioux Valley Electric after high school and then at the ASCS Office and years later at the Ben Franklin Store in Flandreau. Phyllis married Edwin Ailts on September 4, 1949 at Pipestone, MN. They moved to the family farm southeast of Flandreau in 1950 from an apartment above Mallory Jewelry Store. Ed passed away December 24, 1984 and she continued to make her home at the farm. Phyllis was a volunteer aid at Redeemer Lutheran Pre-school for 15 years. She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Redeemer Lutheran Ladies Aid and a former member of the Sunshine Club. Phyllis loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, mowing and taking care of her lawn.
Phyllis is survived by her 4 daughters: Jane (Leon) Pesall, Brookings; Eileen (Kent) Petersen, Sloan, IA; Jackie (Bill) Doyle, Flandreau; Rita (Tim) Butler, Yankton, SD; 12 grandchildren: Ben (Betty) Gilbert, Ben (Lynn) Petersen, Noel (Maeghen) Pesall, Nick (Gina) Gilbert, Sarah (Jamie) Schoenherr, Nina (Ray) Ringstmeyer, Blake (Tessie) Doyle, Julie (Ben) Cedar, Sara (Jacob Hopp) Pesall, Alyssa Butler, Justine (Matt) Rosner, Kelsey (Brandon) Folkers; 18 great-grandchildren: Heidi, Lauren, Payne, Derek, Bergyn, Cadence, Kasen, Corah, Brooklyn, Brody, Jillia, Layton, Davie, Willa, Gabe, Milo, Graham, Charlie and 2 sisters, Evelyn Biteler and Verla Mae Beyer, both of Flandreau. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin, parents, a brother Arthur and a sister Deloris.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Flandreau, with burial in Union Cemetery, Flandreau. Visitation will be Monday, January 3, 2022 from 5:00 7:00 pm with a 7:00 pm prayer service at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau. Memorials to Redeemer Lutheran Church or the Redeemer Church Pre-school.