Phyllis Esther Hamborg

Phyllis passed away peacefully, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer, with her family around her at St. John's Lutheran Home on Fountain Lake in Albert Lea on March 10. She was 97 years old.

Phyllis was born on December 16, 1927, in Morristown, Minnesota, the daughter of Paul and Esther (Barth) Strehlo. She grew up in Morristown and graduated from high school there in 1945. She went on to beauty school and worked as a hairdresser in Albert Lea, MN, where she met and married Millard Hamborg on July 3rd, 1952. They were married for over 68 years when Millard died in 2020. Phyllis and Millard were a wonderful example of lasting love and devotion for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Phyllis worked as a clerk in the Albert Lea High School library for 23 years. She really enjoyed working with the students there.

Phyllis graciously volunteered her time to help others. She was active in church at First Lutheran, both with her Circle helping with church activities, and making quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Outside of her church activities, she enjoyed being a member of the Domestic Engineers, and calling BINGO at Broadway Board & Care for 25 years.

While in independent living, Phyllis enjoyed the many friends at St. John’s, especially Eva Karsjens. She really enjoyed evening card playing activities and was always up for a game of 500 with the card playing groups.

Funeral services for Phyllis E. Hamborg, of Albert Lea, will be held on March 21, with visitation at 10:00 am and funeral service at 11:00 am, at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Her daughter, Rev. Daphne Hamborg, and Rev. Mary Fiel will officiate. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before services at the church. Bonnerup Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Phyllis is survived by her children: Rev. Daphne Hamborg of Albert Lea, Roland and his wife Dr. Amy Hamborg of Prescott, WI, Joan Vanderploeg and her husband Rick of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Benjamin Hamborg, Esq. (Andrea) of Plymouth, MN, Dr. Joshua Hamborg of Grand Rapids, MN, Joseph Hamborg of Hastings, MN and Tessa Hamborg of Springfield, VT, Tara (Kevin) Lawyer of Enosburg, VT, Jay (Katie) Vanderploeg of Angier, NC; ten great grandchildren, sister Jule Moldenhauer, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband Millard Hamborg, parents, sister Genevieve Adams, and many other family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church Peace and Power, and to St. Croix Hospice, who provided remarkable care for her.