Phyllis Madeline Packer

On July 19, 2025, Phyllis Peterson Packer peacefully went to sleep and woke up in heaven. She was 97 years old. Born in South Boardman, Michigan, to Murl and Minnie Krumlauf, Phyllis was the youngest of six children. She walked the railroad tracks to the local one-room schoolhouse, and then later graduated from Rapid City High School. In 1947, Phyllis married Don Peterson following his return from WWII. They eventually settled on a cherry farm to raise their six children. She loved to bake, and she made the best cherry pies in the world. An active person herself, Phyllis kept her children busy with horses, bicycles, skiing, and working on the farm; and she saw to it that all six children learned to play the piano. Phyllis had ambition, spunk, determination, and drive, and she believed that anything was possible if you set your mind to it. She taught sewing to 4H kids; at church she taught Sunday school and Pioneer Girls; and she ran summer CEF Good News Clubs in her home. Phyllis was an exceptional and creative seamstress and took great joy in her projects. She was an upholsterer with her own business, Peterson Upholstery; and she taught upholstery through the local community college. Phyllis and Don enjoyed working on remodeling projects, camping, cross-country skiing, and making winter trips to Florida. She thought nothing of starting a wallpapering project at eleven o’clock at night. They were happily married for 57 years before he passed away in 2004. In 2007, Phyllis married Don’s high-school friend Clyde Packer. Phyllis and Clyde enjoyed playing card games, mini golf, and camping. In their final years, they lived at Glen Eagle Village, enjoying the company of their friends there. They had 16 wonderful years before he passed away in 2023. Phyllis is survived by her children: Lynne (James) Dodge, Doug (Nancy) Peterson, Dale (Carol) Peterson, Suzette (Scott) Blair, Shellie Smith, and Connie Rathbun; her 16 grandchildren; and her 27 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by Clyde’s children: Steve (Linda) Packer, Cathy (Dale) Chilson, Cheryl Packer, Bill (Maureen) Packer, Paula (Ed) Grey, and Marlene (Kevin) Overmeyer; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. The services will be held at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. The visitation will be Wednesday, July 30, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Thursday, July 31, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The funeral will be Thursday, July 31, at 11:00 a.m. Lunch will follow. The internment will be at Memorial Gardens. Donations can be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship of Northwest Michigan.