Phyllis June Lensing

Phyllis Lensing, age 96, of Marshall, Minnesota, died on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall, Minnesota. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 16, 2024, at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall, Minnesota. A reception for attendees will follow in Carlin Hall, at the church. Interment will be in the St. Dionysius Catholic Cemetery, Tyler, Minnesota. A CCW Rosary will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., also at the Hamilton Funeral Home, on Sunday and the evening will conclude with a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to her celebration at the church, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Monday.

Phyllis June Rue was born on June 2, 1928, in Lucan, Minnesota. She was the daughter of William and Esther (Korman) Rue. Phyllis grew up near Lucan where she was baptized as an infant and confirmed in her youth in the Lutheran Church. Phyllis attended country school until the 8th grade. She met the neighbor boy, Harold Lensing, at the end of their driveways at their parent's mailboxes and later married.

Phyllis and Harold were united in marriage on February 12, 1945, at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Wabasso. They made their home on farms near Wabasso and Lamberton, Minnesota. Through the years they moved their growing family to Morgan and Russell and the couple also lived for a time in Tyler before moving to Marshall. The couple had 11 children together and spent over 66 years of marriage together prior to Harold's death in 2012.

Phyllis worked for many years as a homemaker and loving mother. Outside the home she worked as head cook for the RTR school district and also at The Brick Manor in Arco, Minnesota. Her enjoyments in life included dancing, bowling, baking, and camping. She enjoyed the time spent at Long Lake near Spicer, Minnesota, and several winters in the warm Texas sun. Phyllis was also gifted in creating many crafts and was known for her crocheting, needlepointing, and sewing skills.

Phyllis Lensing died peacefully and surrounded by her family on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, in Marshall, Minnesota. She reached the age of 96 years, 6 months, and 8 days. Blessed be her memory.

She is survived by nine children, Roger (Lois) Lensing of Porter, Mary Lou (Allen) Lovejoy of Mounds View, Lois VanKeulen of Marshall, Bob (Mary) Lensing of Balaton, Dean Lensing of Bloomington, Jo Lensing of Cold Spring, Vicki (Jim) VanDamme, of Russell, Julie Parulski (Bob Przymus) of Ivanhoe, Mark (Nancy) Lensing of St. James; 19 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Dennis (Pat) Rue; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. 

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Lensing; parents, William & Esther Rue; son, Dale Lensing; daughter, Jan Lensing; grandchildren, Brandon Lucas, Jim Pease; son-in-law, Jim VanKeulen; and brothers, Darrell and Glen Rue.