Phyllis J. (Hansen) Markeson

ORMSBY: Phyllis J. (Hansen) Markeson, 82, of Ormsby, MN, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by family, on Sunday, June 9, 2024.

A Celebration of Life Service for Phyllis will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Trimont Covenant Church (61 Main Street East, Trimont, MN 56176) with Pastor Todd VanZee officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. The service will be recorded, and available live as well as after the service on this page. Private burial will take place at La Salle Lutheran Cemetery in La Salle, MN.

Phyllis J. Markeson was born on December 12, 1941, to Thorvald and Kirsten (Bovbjerg) Hansen in Ormsby, MN. She graduated from St. James High School in 1959.

On August 12, 1962, Phyllis was united in marriage to Roger Markeson. Roger and Phyllis raised three children in Ormsby - Dan, Trisha, and Kelly.

To say Mom had a “servant’s heart” would be an understatement. She baked and cooked all the time, for family, friends, and church. She’d show up for a visit and take over your kitchen to bake caramel rolls or buns. If you came to visit her in her home you’d be fed breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Cute if you’re in your 40’s…alarming at her age. She never stopped. 

Her desire for travel and new adventure was insatiable. She NEVER said no. At 67 years old she hiked Manhattan with us in 97-degree heat…I mean from the southern tip through Mid-Town, Central Park, etc, a feat I would not consider undertaking at the ripe old age of 59…I’d get a car…but there were 6 or 7 of us and it was not an option. I likened asking Mom if she wanted to go anywhere to asking my dog if he wants to go for a ride…I think her tail actually wagged. She’d say YES before you finished asking the question. No matter where. No matter when. She was on a beach picking shells less than a month ago. 

She loved her kids. She loved her grandkids. She set a standard for service and enthusiasm we’ll NEVER achieve. I kept telling her that  "You’ve set the bar too high…FOR EVERYTHING and we’re all doomed to failure by comparison." She’d just look at me like I was teaching my dog algebra. Tough??? From the hot streets in Manhattan, to the mountains in Germany, to the Diamond Head crater in Hawaii, to lighthouses in Maine, to the Black Hills of South Dakota, to walks to the “Old Tree,” to cleaning her house and decorating for Christmas, she didn’t have quit in her. We’ll all fail by comparison. 

Phyllis will forever be remembered by her children, Daniel (Darlene) Markeson, Trisha (Stephan) Storms, and Kelly (Wes) Gyger; Twelve grandchildren; Six great-grandchildren (with three more on the way); brother, Butch (Ruth) Hansen; sister, Deanna Patenaude; brother-in-law, Loren (Cindi) Markeson; and many other relatives and friends.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Roger; parents, Thorvald and Kirsten; sister, Beverly (Desmond) Davison; brother, Dan Hansen; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clifford and Hazel Markeson.

Thank you to Moments Hospice for your incredible service. You’ve raised the bar for the Hospice industry. Your commitment to excellence goes beyond description. We will be forever grateful for the care and love you gave to our mom.