Phyllis Mae Archer

Phyllis Archer, age 88, of Marshall, Minnesota, died on Thursday, February 22, 2018, at the Minneota Manor Care Center. Minnesota Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 2, 2018, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. A prayer service is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. South Dakota Visitation will be held from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 3, 2018, at Geise Funeral Home in Estelline, South Dakota. A prayer service is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. Interment will follow the prayer service on Saturday, in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Estelline, South Dakota. Then attendees are invited to a reception at the American Legion Hall in Estelline until 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to donor's choice. Thank you.

Phyllis Mae Archer was born in rural Hazel, South Dakota, to William and Bird (Pereboom) Archer on July 20, 1929. She attended one room schools in Hamlin County and Deuel County, South Dakota. In 1943, Phyllis moved with her parents and family to a farm in Bookings County where she completed her elementary education. She then attended Estelline High School, graduating with the class of 1948.

Being a school teacher had always been Phyllis’ dream. After high school graduation her aunt, Olive Pereboom, took her to Madison, South Dakota, and helped her enroll in General Beadle College (now known as Dakota State). After several years of teaching for 9 months during the school year, she would attend college in the summers until she earned her Bachelor of Science. With arduous work, persistence & her passion to teach, Phyllis furthered her teaching education in Mankato, MN.

While going to college, Phyllis taught school in one-room school houses in Brookings, Deuel, Hamlin, and Kingsbury Counties. This was the beginning of her long teaching career. In the fall of 1957, Phyllis moved to Marshall, Minnesota, and she started teaching at East Side Elementary. She taught the 3rd grade for an amazing 30 years until her retirement in 1987. Phyllis was a firm educator but took time with each student trying to instill in them the desire to learn all they could and apply him/herself to the best of their ability. When Phyllis met one of her students on the street or in a store they always addressed her as “Miss Archer”.

After retirement, Phyllis enjoyed some traveling, often with other retired teachers. She remained in Marshall, and enjoyed watching TV - especially The History Channel, World War I & World War II specials, The Book Review, CNN, and The Lawrence Welk Show. Phyllis always made time for her parents, siblings and their families.

Phyllis died on Thursday, February 22, 2018, at the age of 88 years, 7 months, and 2 days. Blessed be her memory.

She is survived by her sister, Marlys Kveum of Marshall; 5 nieces, Pamela O’Malley of CA, Kathy (and Dennis) Weidler of Howard, SD, Myrna (and Vic) Schamber of Spearfish, SD, Debra Archer of Brookings, SD, Lora Lie Hilderbrandt of WI; 5 nephews, Greg (and Donielle) Archer of Estelline, SD, Wade (and Bonnie) O’Malley of Rogers, Bryan O’Malley of Tempe, AZ, Brett O’Malley of Tempe, AZ, Larry Hildebrandt of MT; 2 grandnieces, Katie and Lyndsey Archer; 2 grandnephews, Eric (and Jennifer) DeKam and Cameron (and Elica) O’Malley; great-grandnieces and nephews, Denny DeKam, Quinn DeKam, Ashlyn O’Malley, Carsyn O’Malley; cousins and friends.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her grandparents; her parents; 3 brothers, Russel (and Sylvia) Archer, Clyde (and Geneva) Archer, Loren Archer; 2 sisters, Beverly O’Malley, Faye (Herbert) Hildebrandt; brother-in-law, Robert Kveum; 2 nephews, Randy Archer and Gale Archer.