Phyllis Jean Klatt

Phyllis Jean Klatt (nee Fitzgerald), 89 of Eagan, entered eternal life on Friday, December 12, 2025, peacefully in her family home.
Phyllis was born January 27, 1936, in Rockwell, Iowa, the daughter of Arthur Aloysius Fitzgerald and Loraine Charlotte Fitzgerald (nee Finlayson). Tragedy struck her life when her father was killed in an explosion, leaving 4 small children. She was raised in her maternal grandparent's home. Her Aunt Emma provided care, while her mother became a hair stylist to support the family. She grew up a hard-working girl, often being sent to help neighbors and run errands for her aunt. She was smart as a whip and excelled in school. She graduated from Sacred Heart of Rockwell High School in 1954. It was there she met her sweetheart, Robert Klatt. They married on July 10th, 1954. She joined him at his posting in Florida for the Air Force. One year later in 1955 she welcomed her first child. Phyllis raised her children but also worked some interesting jobs along the way: She worked as the town telephone operator in high school, connecting calls manually in a little shack by the railroad tracks. She did parts work at home and was a welcome wagon lady. When most of the kids were grown, she returned to school and became a Chemical Dependency Counselor and a Family Group facilitator. She worked in a detox facility and in the Minneapolis Public School System.
Phyllis was an excellent mother, kind, caring and devoted to all of her children. She had a quick sense of humor and was full of fun sayings like "Get a wiggle on!". As a young woman she dreamt of becoming a doctor but her family could not afford to send her to college. Phyllis instilled in her children the need to go on after high school to further their education. Most importantly she shared her love of God with her children and her faith has been passed on to the next two generations. Phyllis was the quintessential '50s and '60's neighborhood mom. In her final illness she was visited by many of the neighborhood "kids". She formed lifelong friendships with others in her neighborhood. She lived in the same house for 65 years.
Phyllis was an amazing listener and she shared the gospel with many, many people. She was quick to start up a conversation with other people in her later life as she walked around our neighborhood pond.
Phyllis accepted and loved people with her whole heart. Her greatest gift was her fulfillment of the great commission that Jesus gave to all believers:
Matthew 28:19-20
19 So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age."
Phyllis was a faithful Christian her entire life and a member of Community of Joy Church in Eagan, MN. She treasured her church family and her pastors past and present. As mother aged her church family and her friends frequently visited with a word of cheer and sometimes a home baked goodie.
Phyllis is survived by her dearly loved children: Jeanene (Sheridan) Prince, Kathy Klatt, Mark Klatt, Joe (Kathy) Klatt, Ann (Rick) Anfinsen, Beth (Mark) McCann, John (Deb) Klatt and Pradeep (Mihoko) Bhandari. Phyllis is survived by 16 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. She is also survived by brother Richard Fitzgerald, sister Margaret McLaughlin, brother-in-law Jack Lang, sister-in-law Margaret Lang, nieces, nephews, other loving relatives, and many friends.
Preceded in death by husband Robert Martin Klatt, daughter Mary Ann Klatt and great granddaughter Louise Fletcher, parents Arthur and Loraine Fitzgerald, Grandparents Patrick and Margaret Fitzgerald, Robert and Anna Finlayson, brother Thomas Fitzgerald, brother-in-law James McLaughlin, brother-in-law Jerald Klatt, sister-in-law Susan Klatt.
Services will be held Thursday, December 18. 2025 at Community of Joy Church, 4015 Northview Terrace, Eagan, MN 55123.
Visitation 10 AM, Funeral service 11 AM with luncheon following at the church. Service will be live-streamed on the Community of Joy of Eagan YouTube Channel.
Memorials may be sent to the following two organizations where Phyllis volunteered.
Bundles of Love P.O. Box 240301, Apple Valley, MN 55124
(Supplies for new mothers. Phyllis spent many hours volunteering here and loved it.)
Lutheran Brethren International Mission. Phyllis went on two mission trips to Mexico. Check to LBIM
1020 West Alcott Ave., Fergus Falls, MN 56537