Phyllis A. Stap

On October 10, 2022 our mother took her Savior's hand and peacefully left this earth to join her heavenly family. Her life of 97 years had a foundation based on her faith and her devotion to family and friends. Her determination, optimistic out look and witty banter will be greatly missed by all who loved and enjoyed her company. F. William Boernsen and Mary (Recher) Boernsen welcomed their first daughter on April 23,1925 on the family farm near May City, Iowa. She was baptized, confirmed and later married at Saint John's Lutheran Church in May City, Iowa. She attended country school through the eighth grade and high school at Excelsior High and later Hartley High School. She was a member of the 1944 Hartley High School girls basketball team that competed in the Iowa State Girls Basketball Tournament in Des Monies. The determined guard was recognized for her athletic talent and was named to an all state team. After high school Phyllis attended Iowa State Teacher's College and was awarded her teaching certificate. She taught country school for four years in Allison and Harrison Townships in northwest Iowa. On December 28, 1947 Phyllis married World War II veteran William Stap and together they farmed in the May City area and raised their family of four children. In addition to being a farmer's wife Phyllis worked at the Hartley Community Hospital for twenty five years as a nurses aid and also as a ward clerk. She was an active member of Saint John's Laidies Aid and served on various committees and taught Sunday and vacation bible schools. In their retirement Bill and Phyllis moved to May City and enjoyed "city life" and traveling the western United States. After forty-four years of marriage on September 12, 1992 Phyllis said good bye to Bill her best "buddy" and soul mate. Phyllis continued to live and enjoy her May City home and attended various community events with special friend Bill Gruhn. When her health started to decline, it became necessary to move her closer to her children. Phyllis moved into the Good Samaritan Retirement Village in Fort Collins, Colorado in January 2014 and was located only a mile away from daughter Linda, her husband Steve and their family. Never having lived more than a twenty mile radius from her birthplace, Phyllis made the adjustment to her new surroundings. She made new friends with her fellow residents and the Good Sam staff, who provided support and encouragement. Phyllis became an avid bingo player and would claim a stuffed animal as her prize, so much so that her apartment was wall to wall stuffed animals. Mom's menagerie of over a hundred stuffed animals was donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Colorado for Christmas 2021 presents. Due to her declining health, Mother entered hospice care on February 16, 2022. She was doing so well and was going to be released from hospice care when she unexpectedly developed health issues on Sunday and peacefully passed away on Monday October 10th.
Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters: Linda and husband Steve Wingate of Fort Collins, Colorado; Lori and husband Gary Visintainer of Craig, Colorado. Grandchildren: Michael Wingate and partner Veronica Perez of Fort Collins, Colorado; Laura Wingate and partner Kyle Lysek of Denver, Colorado; Heather Stap of Melbourne, Florida and Tyler Stap of Kalispell, Montana and six great grandchildren. Phyllis will also be fondly remembered by nephews, nieces and other relatives, friends and the May City community.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, her parents-in-law, Peter and Dorothy Stap, husband Bill and their daughter Joanne Joy Stap and son William "Billie" Stap. Her two sisters; Ruth Adams and husband Leonard, Ella Kraninger and husband Jim, also sister-in-law Sophie Van Houten and husband Ben. Two nieces; Patricia Adams Baumgarten and Claudia Adams, one nephew Allen Van Houten and wife Julie. Also other relatives, Bill Gruhn and cherished friends.
The family would like to extend a very grateful and special thank you to the staff and residents at Good Samaritan Retirement Village Fort Collins and Bristol Hospice for their compassionate and supportive care.
Phyllis will be returning home to Iowa with interment at Harrison Township Cemetery, Osceola County, Iowa. A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 17th at Saint John's Lutheran Church, May City Iowa with a 9:00 o'clock visitation hour followed by a service at 10:00 o'clock. Lunch will be served following the service.