Phyllis J. Davis

Phyllis J. Davis, age 87, of Spencer, Iowa, formerly of Storm Lake, Iowa died November 5, 2025 at St. Luke Lutheran Nursing Home in Spencer.
Memorial Mass will take place Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 11, 2025 from 5-6:30 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in STORM LAKE. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary's School in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
Phyllis Jean Sampers was born May 12, 1938 to Joseph and Christina (Werkmeister) Sampers in Early, Iowa. She was baptized as an infant at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early. Growing up, Phyllis attended elementary school at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Early. She went on to attend high school at St. Mary's Catholic School in Storm Lake, graduating in 1956.
In her younger years, Phyllis loved roller skating. This is where she met the love of her life, Merlin Davis. Merlin was persistent in visiting Phyllis at the soda shop where she worked and on June 16, 1956, they were united in marriage at St. Mary's Catholic Church. They were blessed with eight children: Amy, Doug, Brad, Letha, Diane, Jane, William, and Karl.
Faith was the cornerstone of Phyllis's life. She attended church services at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer, Iowa, St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake, Iowa, and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cherokee, Iowa. Throughout the years, Phyllis served as a lector and Eucharistic minister. She was also a member of the Ladies Guild and involved with CCD.
Phyllis worked at Randall's and HyVee Bakeries. She was a devoted mother and passed down her love of baking to her children. Every summer, she would pack picnics and go on camping trips with her family. She enjoyed tending to her garden and canning. Square dancing with Merlin brought Phyllis great joy. They loved traveling in their truck and fifth wheel trailer, making many memories during two trips to Alaska and visiting all the continental states. She and Merlin spent the winter months in Bullhead City, Arizona. You could find Phyllis crocheting, putting together jigsaw puzzles, volunteering at the SOS store, and playing games with family. Phyllis enjoyed collecting Precious Moments, shopping with her daughters and watching Hallmark movies. She made spending time with grandchildren and great grandchildren a priority. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Phyllis is survived by her children: Amy (Steven) Andrews of Alva, Florida; Doug (Lynette) Davis of Overland Park, Kansas; Brad (Denice) Davis of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Letha (Lance) Grigsby of Gretna, Nebraska; Diane (Mark) Sahr of Minnetrista, Minnesota; Jane (Herb) Besaw of Spencer, Iowa; William (Kim) Davis of Yokosuka, Japan; Karl (Kelly) Davis of Elkhorn, Nebraska; brother: Mark (Camille) Sampers of Apple Valley, Minnesota; sisters: Joyce (Gary) Olson of Storm Lake, Iowa; Beverly Jorgensen of Grinnell, Iowa; Elizabeth Sampers-Jacobs (Joe) of Sioux City, Iowa; grandchildren: Laurie (Ryan), Joseph (Amber), Brian (Uyen), Courtney (Matt), Scott (Summer), and Marika; Kasey (Kristyne), Caden, Elizabeth, (Gerrit), Ian (Hannah), and Jennifer; Jayson (Laura), Jenna (Brad), Callie (Evan), and Kyle; Stefan, Joseph, and Andrew; Alexa (Harlan); Levi (Molly) and Katie; 24 great grandchildren; siblings-in-law: Pamela Sampers, Su Sampers; Vivian Sliefert; Ruth Davis; Leonard Brummer; extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband Merlin Davis and his parents (Wayne and Lovicy Davis); siblings: Donald (Joan) Sampers; Marjorie (Richard) Andrews; Robert Sampers; David Sampers; infant brother: Francis Sampers; siblings-in-law: John Rogers; Eldon Davis; Margaret Brummer; Phyllis (Everett) Lenhart; and Harold Sliefert.