Evans Funeral Home
"Compassionate Funeral Service"
Carrington and New Rockford, North Dakota
701.652.3003 or 701.947.2911
Secondary Number ~ 701.650.9937
Phyllis Lura
The matriarch and cornerstone of the Lura family, Phyllis Ramona Lura, passed January 17th, 2023 at an epic 102 years of age. “I have no recipe [for a successful life] my life wasn’t planned, it just happened and I’m glad for it.” Summarizing a life so well lived will be nearly impossible but Phyllis loved stories so we owe her a good one.
Phyllis was born September 1, 1920 in New Rockford, ND to the loving parents of George and Christine Linderman. She would be the oldest sibling to Dale and Maxine, whose relationship was one of the greatest loves in her life. Education was very important to her parents and it was reflected in Phyllis’s life. She rode to grade school in a 2-wheel cart pulled by a Shetland pony and she finished her education as a college graduate from Mayville State Teacher’s College in 1940. Phyllis taught in Birtsell and McClusky. Despite her focus on education, she also had time for dances where she would run into a “good looking” and “nice” man named John Lura. They would date for five years and would marry November 18, 1943. John and Phyllis would welcome seven children: Larry, Philip, Karen, Kevin, Kristy, Mitch and Randy. She would return to teaching at Esterbrook in 1970 for a challenge… and for a new refrigerator, dining table and carpet upstairs… Despite all the hard work the family has fond memories of summer lake vacations. Johnny and Phyllis were active in Barlow community activities, including parties, dances and plays. She loved home and the farm.
Phyllis loved to garden, paint, quilt and bake. Her homemade buns were the center of any meal. She always had dessert and it always included either chocolate or a fruit from her garden (mostly raspberries picked by grandkids scrambling around with milk jugs strapped to belts around our waists). Phyllis was an avid reader. She was a lover of stories whether they were found in books or heard from others’ voices. She was interested in people and when she talked to you, she made you feel like the most important person in the room. She enjoyed listening more than talking but loved to laugh at her own jokes and one-liners (that she would often save up for the perfect moment).
Phyllis’s superpower was creating family. Her already large family was always expanding to include family of in laws, friends of grandkids, a new member at Stavanger or Kvernes churches, etc. She was steadfast and calm amid the chaos of such a large family but when startled her screech still resonates in our ears. She was strong and stubborn but also always kind. She was so very proud of her family.
The legacy she left behind lives on through her kids: Larry (Janice) Lura, Philip (Darnell) Lura, Karen (Lenny) Behm, Minot, Kevin (Jane) Lura, Kristy (Larry) Haisley, Bismarck, Mitch (Karla) Lura & Randy (Lori) Lura and grandchildren: Troy (Billie) & Travis (Mindy) Lura, Aaron (PJ), Brock and Tyler (Kari) Lura, Scott (Mandy) Brekhus & Kopper (Aaron) Frick, Shannon (Brett) Poland, Suzanne (Jesse) Johnson, & Kody (Jessie) Lura, Lura Jo (Karl) Spears & Teha (Brett) Bina. Jocelyn (Nic) Hovland, Tanner (Haley) Lura, Kassie (Brock) Fredrickson & Mckayla (Levi) Hagen, and Seth (Jill) Lura, Randi Jo (Marc) VanRay, Jace Lura, and many great and great great grandchildren and loved ones.
In lieu of flowers donations to Anne Carlson Center or Kvernes church would be appreciated or simply spend a quiet moment listening to the birds sing. If you are having a bad day, please take her advice and eat a candy bar and take a bath.
A Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, from 10:00AM – 11:00AM followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00AM all at Trinity Lutheran Church, Carrington, ND.
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Dear Lura family, We are so sorry to hear of Phyllis’s passing.
There’s a lot of great memories of your mom and dad especially on the 4th of July and our families getting together.
She was such a warm, sweet and kind woman. Always a smile when we would meet.
One of the remaining matriarchs of our township gone. May she rest in peace.
What a woman Phyllis was!! I admired her for a lot of reasons…what a blessing to have had the pleasure to even know her a little bit. She was a very inspirational, kind woman…and what a go getter!
So sorry to hear of Phyllis’ passing. Our sympathy for the family. What a wonderful lady she was, an inspiration and example to all the young mothers in the Barlow community when our kids were growing up. God bless her memory.
Cousin Phyllis was my genealogy buddy
She was a smart, caring lady who will be missed
Phyllis was a talented and caring woman. We were related but she was also a true friend and mentor. She definitely made an impact. Please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers.
I was very fortunate to know this wonderful lady. Condolences to her family.
i treasure the memories of time spent with Phyllis. she was a good friend to my mom. Love and prayers to her loved ones
Sorry to hear of Phyllis’s passing.
Very nice lady and a hard worker too.
May God bless her and her family and welcome her into His Kingdom for all eternity.
Phil, Darnell and extended families. Our deepest Sympathy to you all. Phyllis will be missed by everyone she ever came in contact with. We knew her from Kvernes Church and her talent hangs proudly all around our Church which she graciously did. Her friendly smile, her love and friendship will be so missed. All of our family thought the world of her. Heaven just gained another Angel. May all her precious memories get you all thru the loss of your beautiful Mom, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, Aunt, and who ever else I’m missing. May your memories help ease the pain of losing her. Gods Blessings to you all. Roger, Linda and girls.
I’m so sorry to hear of Phyllis’s passing. May the wonderful memories surround you and help bring you peace. My thoughts and prayers are with the Lura family!
My sincere sympathies,
Sharon Rose
Larry, Janice & family,
Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you. 102 years was a glorious life for you to have your mom! May her name Phyllis Lura be glorified in Heaven! Hopefully she will greet Patti there?
Your friends forever,
Our love,
Tedd & Sharon Steenbock
I always thought Phyllis was such a beautiful, gracious woman. My mother in law (Jean Ohm) always considered her a best friend. May she rest in peace.
Randy and Eileen
Saddened to hear of Phyllis’ passing. She was an amazing person. I have fond memories of visiting at her farm with Maxine and swinging on the tire swing. Phyllis and Jean Linderman had Susan and I out to visit after Maxine passed and we always felt so welcome.
We have so many fond memories of Phyllis, a noble soul, ever giving of herself, thinking of others. Walt and I were talking together about memories of Phyllis and Johnny, so decided to look her up, and found her obituary today. Our hearts are with you. What a legacy she leaves! We are greatly priviledged to have shared a portion of her life with ours.
My sympathies to all the Lura family. A life well lived. I don’t think anyone who knew her will ever forget her warm smile and calm manner, besides her many other talents. Most of my memories of Phyllis are from my childhood and teenage years at our Linderman family picnics and get togethers. Although long ago, she had a positive impact in my memories. I will always remember her as a very special person.
My condolences to the Lura family on your loss. Phyllis was a very special lady and I always enjoyed talking with her.
Dear Lura family, my sincere sympathies on the passing of your mother. Gods blessings to each of you.
My deepest sympathy in the passing of your mom, Kevin & Jane. There is no love greater than that of one’s mom.
My deepest sympathy to the Lura family.She was a wonderful woman.Hugs and prayers.
What a kind and sweet lady .
Phyllis was always so fun to visit with. I loved her laugh and smile. Especially, when I told her I was a “Linderman” she would always respond I am a Linderman too. Are we related? 🙂
She was one of the best ladies I’ve ever met.
She will be missed by so many! Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
I am so sorry for your loss. You were so fortunate to have Phyllis as a mother and grandmother. I am sure you have lots of memories. I have fond thoughts of visiting with her in my early years. A memorial will be given in Phylis’s name to an education scholarship at Mayville State University.
God bless the memory of Phyllis. Such a nice lady. Our sincere sympathy to the Lura family.
Oh, what a beautiful lady and wonderful life! Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Lura family. We are in awe of the legacy Phyllis and John have left for us to enjoy. May Peace, Joy, and laughter surround you as you share your memories of Phyllis this weekend and forever.
Phyllis was such a wonderful lady who I loved sharing quilting stories and tips with. Her talents were amazing and hand on the walls of the church, and shared at auctions at Red Willow Bible Camp auctions, and I’m sure soooo many other places. She always has a smile, always walked by us after church and said hello to Frank and I. Celebrate her life, all that she was, all that she accomplished, and a life well lived. Giving thanks for having known her. God speed.
We send our condolences to all of the Lura Family on the loss of your mother. She had a life well lived & offered much to her community. May She Rest In Peace.
Steve & Jane Metzger