Phyllis Jean Struckman

June 2, 1926 - November 25, 2016

PHYLLIS J. STRUCKMAN, 90, longtime resident of Brule, passed away November 25, 2016 at the Perkins County Hospital in Grant. Phyllis was born June 2, 1926, 9 miles north of Brule to Sebastian "Bud" and Anna Marie (Witt) Spoeneman. Phyllis attended District 46 School north of Brule before graduating from the Ogallala High School with the class of 1943. She went on to graduate from St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing in 1947. On September 28, 1948, Phyllis was united in marriage to Paul L. Struckman at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala. The couple made their home in Brule where they raised their 5 children. Phyllis worked as a registered nurse in Keith County for nearly 50 years, primarily at the Ogallala Community Hospital. She was honored with the Caring Kind Award just a year before her retirement in 1999. In most recent years, Phyllis had made her home at Golden Ours Convalescent Home in Grant, where she enjoyed interacting with the nursing staff and keeping everyone on their toes. Phyllis enjoyed gardening, reading and crossword puzzles. When Phyllis had the remote, she was either watching EWTN or Nebraska Cornhusker Athletics, both of which she loved and vocally supported. Phyllis was a longtime member of St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala, where she had been active in the Altar Society and had served on the Parish Council. Phyllis was sharp, quick-witted and typically held strong and informed opinions about the things she cared about. She was an excellent cook and cared deeply for her family. She was a proponent of life-long learning, and encouraged her children and grandchildren to pursue higher education. Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; son, Joe; sister and brother in law, Francis and Dave White; and brother, Robert Spoeneman. Survivors include her children, Pat (Jean) Struckman & Tom (Sharon) Struckman all of Brule, Mary Liz Wiest (Alan) of Lincoln, Dana (Ann) Struckman of Newport RI; 16 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren with another on the way; sister, Mary Ann (Jim) Rumer of CA; along with many other relatives and friends. A memorial has been established in her memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live for those unable to attend. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala with Father Bryan Ernest as Celebrant. Burial will be in the Ogallala Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala. A Rosary and Christian Wake Service will begin at 6 p.m. at Prairie Hills Funeral Home. Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.