Phyllis Marie (Spindler) Koski, age 81, of Shakopee, MN, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 21 st , 2023 surrounded by her family after a long battle with cancer. A Celebration of Phyllis’s Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church (3611 Berens Rd NW, Prior Lake) with Pastor Dan Poffenberger presiding. A time of gathering will be held from 9:00 – 11:00 AM prior to services. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local food shelf in honor of Phyllis.
Phyllis Marie was born on July 16, 1941 in Ironwood, Michigan to Hjalmer and Lydia (Luoma) Koski. Throughout her life, Phyllis was proud of her family and rich Finnish heritage. She completed college before uniting in marriage with Gary Spindler. Together they were blessed with two children, Kirsten and Brent, before eventually going their separate ways. Later on, she was also blessed with four grandchildren, who filled her with joy and were her main priority later in life. Phyllis was an English teacher, piano teacher, music director and church organist. She taught countless students over her many years teaching. She was an avid reader and loved plants and gardening.
Phyllis was blessed with an abundance of Finnish Sisu.
Phyllis was loved and will be missed by her children, Kirsten (Steve) Ellison and Brent (Julie) Spindler; grandchildren, Trevor and Lydia Ellison, and Joseph and Genevieve Spindler; siblings, Mae Markstrom and Judy Durkee; and other loving family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Hjalmer and Lydia (Luoma) Koski; siblings, Oliver Koski, Melba Van Lokeren, Leslie Koski, and Thomas Koski; and other relatives.
