Phyllis Leona Champagne

Phyllis Champagne, age 81, of Minneota, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2020, at Morningside Heights Health Care Center in Marshall, Minnesota. Memorial Services are at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, September 13, 2020, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Island Lake Township, Minnesota. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 P.M on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at Hamilton Funeral Home. The evening concludes with a Prayer Service at 7:00 P.M. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service, from 1:00-2:00 P.M. Sunday, at the church. Occupancy limits and social distancing must be observed throughout all services. Masks are now also required at all public indoor gatherings.

Phyllis Leona Pagel was born on June 6, 1939 in Balaton, Minnesota to the late Walter and Elda (Schrupp) Pagel. She was Baptized and Confirmed as a Lutheran. Phyllis attended Marshall Elementary Schools and was a Marshall High School Graduate. After graduating High School, Phyllis attended two years of college in Mankato, Minnesota. After graduating college, she worked for the University of Minnesota as a Secretary.

In 1968, Phyllis and her two children, Sande and Tim, moved to Russell, where she lived and worked until moving in with Tim a few years ago.

After moving back to Russell, Phyllis worked for the Balaton Nursing Home, Tyler Nursing Home, Schott Corporation, and was a Kindergarten Teacher’s Aide for the Christian Day School in Balaton which she also drove the bus for. After retiring, Phyllis worked for Russell Mini-Mart Gas Station, which she found great pride in.

The Red Cross was a particularly important organization to Phyllis, and she enjoyed volunteering her time coordinating Blood Drives. Phyllis also enjoyed spending time with her kids and grandkids, playing cards, jigsaw puzzles, puzzles on her iPad, and collecting frog lawn ornaments.

Phyllis passed away at Morningside Heights Health Care Center on Saturday, September 5, 2020. She had reached the age of 81 years, 2 months, and 30 days. Blessed be her memory.

Phyllis is survived by her children, Sande Champagne of Russell, Tim Champagne of Minneota; grandchildren, Casey Champagne of Canby, Abby (fiancé Terry Giesen) Champagne of Slayton, Jack Champagne of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; siblings, Evelyn (Bob) Berg of New Ulm, Duane (Marion) Pagel of Marshall; sisters-in-law, JoAnn Champagne of Woodbury, Carol Hendrickson of Woodbury; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Erma Schlorf, Ewald Pagel; brother-in-law, Stanley Schlorf; sister-in-law, Ruth Pagel; parents-in-law, Les and Ruth Champagne.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to American Red Cross.