Phyllis Faye Eklund (née Lewis)

Age 87, of Circle Pines, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2025.

Phyllis was born in St. Paul, MN, and graduated from Johnson High School in 1956. She then attended the University of Minnesota, where she met her husband, Russell Eklund. They were married on September 27, 1958, and together, they had four children: Scott, Jay, Shelly, and Robyn.

Phyllis was a stay-at-home mom until Robyn started school in 1974. She then began working at American Guidance Service, where she continued to work until 1993. After Phyllis and Russ retired, they enjoyed time in Arizona during the winter and summers at their cabin in Crosslake, MN.

Faith was an important part of Phyllis’s life, and she was an active member at Our Saviors Lutheran Church from when Russ and Phyllis joined in the early 1960s. Leading Sunday School, being part of the prayer chain, serving on the altar guild, and leading the Easter morning youth breakfast were a few of the ways she served others.

Phyllis was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved spending time attending her children’s various activities, and this later continued with her grandchildren. She was an amazing seamstress and sewed many dance costumes, recovered furniture, and also repaired many high school uniforms. Phyllis loved playing bridge with her ladies’ group and also with Russ in a couples group.

Phyllis will be greatly missed by her husband of 67 years and her family. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and always put other people first. She will be deeply missed but will forever be in our hearts.

Preceded in death by son, Scott; parents, Harold & Ethel Lewis; brothers-in-law, Russ Bjork, Harold (Mary) Eklund, Roger Eklund, & Wallace Eklund.

Survived by husband of 67 years, Russ; children, Jay Eklund, Shelly Eklund, Robyn (Wray) Hendrickson; daughter-in-law, Cindy Eklund; grandchildren, Madeline Eklund, Justin (Sam) Eklund, Olivia (Ross) Johnson, Bennet Eklund, Austin (Tianna) Eklund, Brandon (Bailey) Eklund, Wesley (Tatum) Hendrickson, Mason (Alyssa) Hendrickson, Rheanna Hendrickson (Jayden Cantu), Jaeleigh Eklund; 9 great grandchildren; sisters, Carol (Paul) Nystrom & Dorothy Bjork; brother-in-law, Douglas (Vicki) Eklund, sisters-in-law, Marian Eklund & Margery Eklund; and many nieces & nephews.

Visitation 10:00 - 11:00 AM Friday, May 16 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 9185 Lexington Ave., Circle Pines, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM.

Private interment St. Joseph of the Lakes Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Our Savior's Lutheran Church or the Colon Cancer Coalition.

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