Phyllis Lorraine Avelleyra

Phyllis L. Avelleyra, 88, of Fort Dodge, passed away Thursday, December 8, 2016 at the Paula Baber Hospice Home. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel of the Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home and then 11:00 a.m. a Mass of Christian Burial will be at Corpus Christi Church, with Msgr. Kevin McCoy officiating. Burial will follow at Corpus Christi Cemetery. A visitation will be Monday 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with a Prayer Vigil at 4:00 p.m. Phyllis is survived by her daughters, Patricia (Bruce) Aslesen of Vermillion, MN; Cynthia (Kirk) Haines of Peoria, AZ; Paula Avelleyra (Mike Behlke) of Madison, WI; Martha Avelleyra (Dennis Powers) of Dubuque, IA; Lisa Avelleyra of Iowa City IA; 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Agustin (Augie) Avelleyra in 2013; parents, Andy and Etta (Meiners) Johnson; sister, Doris Bangston; and brother, Irvin Johnson. Phyllis L. Johnson was born February 10, 1928 in Manson. She graduated from Manson High School in 1945. She married Agustin (Augie) Avelleyra on July 19, 1952. She worked for The American Red Cross and the Boston Store for 12 years. Phyllis was then employed with Wells Fargo Bank for 14 years in the Trust Department, retiring in 1993. She was a member of the Holy Trinity Church, Catholic Daughters of America and the Lady's Guild.Growing up on a farm outside of Manson, Phyllis developed a strong work ethic, which she instilled in her five daughters. She worked tirelessly to take care of her family, going so far as to sew them dresses, pants and swimsuits. But she also put her daughters to work, taking them out to weed the garden she planted every spring, and to hang out the laundry. Phyllis liked to have fun. She loved playing cards - pitch, hearts, 500 - with friends, often around the dining room table at the house on the corner of 10th Avenue North and 22nd Street. There was always much laughter and lively conversation. She enjoyed golfing and watching Notre Dame sports. Phyllis was known within her family as a ruthless Scrabble player frequently accusing her opponents of cheating. Phyllis will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her. Her five daughters wish to thank the staff at Friendship Haven, Unity Point Palliative Care/ Hospice Team, and the Paula Baber Home for their loving and beautiful care of Phyllis. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family. Visitation Mon, Dec 12, 2016 at 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Vigil Service 4:00 p.m. Service Tue, Dec 13, 2016 at 11:00 am Corpus Christi Church