Phyllis R. Straughn, 97, of St. Anthony Park, formerly of Golden Valley, died Oct. 14, 2016, after a brief illness.
She was born Feb. 28, 1919, in Charles City, Iowa, to Otha and Ruth (Towner) Main.
She is survived by her children, Robert III (Mavis) of St. Anthony Park, Eric (Maxine) of Champlin and Linda (David) Denney of Las Vegas, Nev.; six grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Marianne Main. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Jr., and brother, David Main.
She graduated with a degree in home economics at Iowa State University. Her husband was a research food engineer at General Mills. After he died, Phyllis became a consumer respondent with General Mills, where she fielded food-preparation questions. She was known in the family as the epitome of Betty Crocker.
She enjoyed music, dancing, bowling, and golf, and traveled extensively after retirement. She was a loving mother and homemaker, known for her dry wit.
Her funeral service was held Oct. 24 at St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church, with interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
The family offers special thanks to the caregivers and chaplains at Lyngblomsten Care Center, Nancy Lee Nelson and Grace Ingulsrud with the care team at St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church, and Phyllis’s home helper, Deborah Adam.
