Phyllis Hunter

Phyllis V. Hunter, 91, of Winterset, Iowa, was called home to be with Jesus on April 8, 2026. She passed peacefully in her home, surrounded by family.

Phyllis was born on July 27, 1934, in Sac City, Iowa, to Benjamin and Gladys (Von Ehwegen) Bogue. She was the oldest of four children, welcoming her siblings, Betty, Larry, and Marlene into the family. She grew up on a farm outside Sac City, where she attended Country School until 8th grade, when it closed. She then attended Sac City High School and graduated in 1953. In 1955, Phyllis married John Russell Hunter. Together, they had three children, Jeff, Kim, and Karla. She cherished her role as a homemaker, dedicating herself to raising their children and creating a home filled with love through her wonderful cooking and exceptional skills as a seamstress. After raising her children, Phyllis began working at Iowa Methodist Medical Center as the registration clerk in outpatient surgery. She retired at the age of 72. Phyllis then moved to Van Meter, Iowa, and eventually to Winterset, where she spent the remainder of her years.

Phyllis was very active in the church. She and Russ were among the first members of Shepherd of the Valley in West Des Moines, where she was a devoted member for over 50 years. Phyllis eventually transferred her membership to Trinity Lutheran Church of Van Meter after moving to Winterset. She was an outstanding seamstress. She loved to sew her own clothes, made quilts, and crafted intricate snowmen full of detail. She stayed active most of her life, doing water aerobics, swimming, and walking laps at the mall with friends, and socializing once a month with the Lunch Bunch.

To her grandchildren and great-grandchildren (and even to all of their friends), she was known as Nana. And Nana was special. She loved to take walks, bake, craft, and create with all of the children in her life. She sewed quilts for all of her grandchildren, their spouses, and their babies. She told funny stories, baked the best cookies, made the most delicious potato salad (so delicious that her granddaughter-in-law, Chelsy, tried to convince Nana to make it for her and Chas’s wedding), and could patch up any tear in your jeans better than any hired seamstress. Whether you needed a dress hemmed, a good laugh, a warm meal to fill your belly, or just a bowl of ice cream with her famous fudge sauce, Nana was only a phone call away. She loved to hold babies and never missed a chance to make sure their feet weren’t cold. Nana was creative, spunky, patient, and funny, and she really loved Jesus. She signed birthday cards with “Say your prayers” or “God bless you” and attended church every Sunday until her last years. She really loved the traditional music and hymns, and humming along to the organist (even if she didn’t know all the words). Nana was genuinely loved by every child who knew her, and her absence will be deeply felt.

Phyllis is survived by her children, Jeff, Kim, and Karla (Stacy); her eight grandchildren, Lindsey (Dwight), Leslie, Joe (Kelsey), Billy (Alicia), Aaron (Missy), Chas (Chelsy), Joe (Sadie), and Chelsea (Lucas); her 15 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Betty (Jim) Watkins and Marlene (Roger) Platz; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Gladys; brother, Larry; and great-great-granddaughter, Serenity. Phyllis will be cremated, and arrangements for a private family service will be made at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Phyllis’s memory to Trinity Lutheran Church of Van Meter.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.caldwellparrish.com.