Phyllis Wismer

1938 - 2025

Phyllis Wismer

November 28, 1938 - August 26, 2025

Phyllis "Phil" B. Wismer 87, died peacefully in her home on Tuesday, August 26th, 2025.Phyllis was born in Firth, Nebraska on November 28th, 1938, to Clarence VanderGriend and Dorothy Klerk.

Phyllis graduated from Firth High School in 1955.

Phyllis began working for a State Farm Regional Office at age 16 as an underwriter typist. Phyllis later worked for Bob Haberman at State Farm for 45 years. She was very loyal to Bob Haberman and State Farm. Phyllis made some of her closest friends through her work. Phyllis always loved helping others and bonding with every person she interacted and assisted with through her career.

Phyllis is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Roy 'Papa' Wismer. Phyllis had three siblings who have all since passed: her brother, Clifford, only sister, Doris, and her adopted brother, Marvin VanderGriend. Her father, Clarence, later passed in 1955, and Dorothy remarried to Richard Mulder in 1956. Richard passed in 2002, and Dorothy passed in 2003.

Phyllis retired from State Farm in 2009 due to the illness and death of only child, Kelli Houlihan.

Phyllis is survived by her three granddaughters, Molli Houlihan (Ryan Carlson, fiancé), Lacey Houlihan, and Cassidy Houlihan. After Kelli's passing, Phyllis raised her granddaughters as her own. Phyllis was a source of light and love to her granddaughters, family, and friends as they navigated life without Kelli. Phyllis is also survived by her beloved neighbors, whom she considered her own additional son and daughter, Joan and Bill Bonkiewicz. The family could not be more grateful for all of the love and help the Bonkiewicz. family has provided to Phyllis over the years. Phyllis is known as everyone's grandmother and will be deeply missed.

Services will be held 10:00 am Saturday, September 6, 2025, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, and a burial and private family visit will take place at a later date in Firth Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, family asks that donations be made to Capital Humane Society, People's City Mission, American Cancer Society, or St. Paul United Methodist. Phyllis stood by the statement that there is always more good than bad, any kindness that can be spread in honor of her would be more than enough.

Condolences: www.bmlfh.com