MARY PHYLLIS RAY was born to Henry Clay Stork and Delilah Marian (Coy) Stork October 16, 1916, on a homestead southeast of Tekamah, Nebraska.  She passed away Thursday, September 3, 2009, at Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Blair, at the age of 92 years.

She attended school at District 2, graduated from Tekamah High School in 1935, and graduated magna cum laude from Midland College in 1939. 

On March 11, 1939, Phyllis married Dale Ray of Tekamah.  Their daughters, Kathleen and Carol were born in Nebraska. The family moved to Oregon in 1946, where they lived for three years and their son David was born.  Their son Douglas was born after the family returned to Tekamah in 1949.

Phyllis began her teaching career in Tekamah Elementary School in 1958, and also taught in the High School before becoming the high school librarian. She worked in this capacity until her retirement in 1979.  One of her career highlights was establishing the new library in the school addition built in 1968.

Phyllis was an accomplished seamstress and also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and cross-stitching treasured gifts for family members.  She was a lifelong member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, and until recently was an active member of the church’s quilting circle.  She was a 4-H leader and a dedicated supporter of her sons’ athletic endeavors while they were in school.  She enjoyed walking and reading, she belonged to various bridge clubs over the years, and she maintained houseplants and flower gardens which were the envy of her family, friends and neighbors. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale in 1983; sons, Douglas in 1971 and David in 2001; brothers, Clyde and John; sisters, Marion, Mildred and Doris. 

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Karl Dye of Honolulu Hawaii,  Carol and Rich Smiley of Tekamah; sister, June Plummer of Emerson, Nebraska; six grandchildren, Kris Meier of Hastings, Nebraska, Kirk Dye of Tekamah, Robin Lahman of Lincoln, Nebraska, Melissa Sisson of Eldora, Iowa, Michael Ray of Nevada, Iowa, Megan Pingel of Dyersville, Iowa; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Gordon Cram, Hurley Ray, Boyd Ray; sister-in-law, Beth Gove; and numerous nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Wednesday, September 9, 2009, 10:30 a.m. at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tekamah.

VISITATION: Tuesday, September 8, 2009, 1 - 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 5 - 8 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Tekamah, Nebraska. Visitation Wednesday will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Tekamah Cemetery

MEMORIALS: Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Tekamah and the Tekamah Public Library.

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

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