Phyllis Mae "Iverson" Griswold

Phyllis Mae (Iverson) Griswold

May 25, 1927 - July 23, 2025

Her Mama would say, "If I can raise Phyllis, I can raise anybody."

She loved strong and deep, determined to experience every last ounce of life that she could.

Born in 1927 in Plaza, N.D., to Norwegian parents, Alice and Alfred Iverson, Phyllis spent her first years enjoying life, with the backdrop of the great depression and the dust bowl. Her parents moved the family – including siblings Marvin, Maynard, Arnold, Mae, Lois and Phyllis - to Eugene when she was 9.

She spent her youth getting into trouble and having fun-- sliding down Skinner's Butte on cardboard, roller-skating on the water tower, music and parties with her parents, and banging pots and pans for New Year's Eve. And once she was a teenager, sneaking out of a few places that she was never supposed to be in.

At 18, she met her first husband. She and Bob Johnson had 4 wonderful children – Sherry Lee, Robert, Richard, and Rory. She loved her family with all her heart. Life revolved around family and the many ways they could laugh and make memories. Sherry Lee left them early, at the age of 8. Richard, just this year, at age 72.

When the marriage came to an end, Phyllis' work ethic shone through the pain. She was determined to care for her boys. She managed on about $75/ month and luckily, loved ironing. When Richard and Bobby would be in school, she would have 5-year-old Rory with her as she ironed other's clothes and cleaned their houses. She kept her family going.

Soon after, at 35, she married her second husband, Bob Heidt. They had two more children-David and Mary. They moved to Elmira and made a life within St. Catherine's in Veneta. She raised her children to value family and friends and community. During this time, the early 70's, Bob also gave her the first taste of Reno. Gambling found its new ambassador.

In her late 40's she was single again, but not for long. At 50, she and Lester Griswold married at the square dance hall in Eugene. Their wedding theme? "Last time around." They both had some marriage history.

They were made for each other at that exact moment in time. They blended beautifully. She gained 4 stepsons and their families through this union. Randy, Eddie, Mitch, and John. They became grandparents together. It was a time of family, grandkids and adventure.

After 27 years of marriage, Les left this world far too early and she was heartbroken.

And then she did what she has always done. Found a way forward. After a year, at the age of 80, sold her house in Otis and found a wonderful home in Springfield. She started over. This time she had a really large family to help her out – Griswold and Iverson.

Over time, she made new friends, found new places to dance, new adventures to be had and blended the old and the new together. She hosted Thanksgiving every year, baked bread, canned tuna, made lefsa. She absolutely reveled in her nearby grandchildren – Nolan, Emily, Kiera, and Ben. When they made her a 'Grandma-Great' she was over the moon.

Phyllis really was a wonder. As her 90s caught up with her, she could dance less but never stopped living. Once her car was gone, her scooter still knew the way to Denny's and the slot machines in the bar. Her independence and determination did not allow for limitations.

In the last years, she planned for the future, knowing that she would get better and travel again. She considered herself a strong and mighty Norwegian and part of her believed that alone would carry her far longer than the 98 years that it did. She would visit her kids when possible and she went to the casino whenever anyone would take her. The smells of bacon cooking and banana bread baking filled the halls. She advocated for her grandchildren to love gambling. Her heart and life touched new people.

As the end came closer, she toasted her friends and family and wished them well. When she could physically no longer move, she laid down to rest. She quickly and peacefully went into her next life.

We were all blessed to be in her world.

Keep dancing with your angels, Phyllis. And don't get into too much trouble.