Phyllis Pieper age 78, passed away peacefully at St. Gertrude’s Health and Rehabilitation Center on the evening of February 17, 2016. She was the perfect example to her family on how to live a simple life. Phyllis represented how determination, strength and hard work will reap wonderful rewards, especially when it comes to family. Phyllis was a true representation of the cross. Her dedication to the Catholic faith was part of her continuous aura. She believed in being kind to everyone.
All of the services will be held at The Parish of St. Joachim and Anne (Marystown). Visitation will be on Sunday, February 21 from 3-7 pm and on Monday, February 22 from 9:15-10:30 am, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Father Erik Lundgren will preside, with her grandsons as pall bearers. She will be laid to rest next to her husband Lenny at St. Mary’s of Purification Catholic Cemetery in Marystown.
Phyllis graced this world on February 4, 1938 in Prior Lake, MN. She was the third of six children born to parents Harvey and Irene (Menden) Molkenbur. It was growing up on the farm where her strong work ethic was instilled. Phyllis had fond memories ice skating on the pond, downhill skiing and racing around the hay barn with her siblings Leonette, Jeannette, Ruth, Marcy and Wayne. She attended a small country school in Prior Lake through ninth grade.
At the age of 15, Phyllis’ life was enriched with meeting a young handsome farm boy named Leonard Peter Pieper. Their love flourished and on May 2, 1956 at St. Mary’s of the Purification, they were joined together in Holy Matrimony. After honeymooning in the Black Hills, they settled down on the Pieper family farm in Marystown. Here Phyllis and Lenny were blessed with eight children from God; Sharon, David, Vernon, Beverly, Irene, Jeffrey, Rosemary and Pamela.
For nearly 51 years, Phyllis and Lenny were rarely separated from each other. They spent countless hours mending fences, repairing buildings, tending to the animals and working in the fields. However, spending time with the family gave Phyllis and Lenny the greatest joy. As the children grew up, weekends were filled with afternoon drives looking at crops, visiting family or relaxing on the shores of Prior Lake fishing and swimming. There were trips to the Dairy Queen and evenings filled with big bowls of fresh buttered popcorn. Sunday gatherings often included Pekarna wieners, Jello, chips and rice crispy bars.
In 1991, their youngest son Jeffrey, took over the farm. Phyllis and Lenny built a new home on the corner of their property. They continued to be active on the farm. It allowed more time for Phyllis and Lenny to focus on their grandchildren, attending their school functions, religious activities and playing games with them. In more recent years, Phyllis’s smile was enlightened with great-grandchildren. She enjoyed holding them, rocking them and watching them play farm.
From the day Phyllis was married, she captured each day in her journal. Noting the activities of the farm, the weather and what was happening with family and friends. Journaling was part of her daily devotion, along with saying the rosary and prayers.
Forever loved and forever missed, the legacy of Phyllis will live on in her beloved children, Sherry (Hank) Theis, Dave (Luanne) Pieper, Vern (Cindy) Pieper, Bev (Rick) Foth, Irene (Mike) Theis, Jeff (Julie) Pieper, Rose (Greg) Watschke, Pam (Amy) Pieper-Berchem; grandchildren, Sarah (Todd) Reis, Jenna (Ted) Boys, Charlie (Megan) Theis, Jessica (Joe) Geis, Joe (Lacey) Pieper, Chad (Farah) Pieper, Katie (TJ) Phillips, Kelsey Pieper, Brian Pieper, Ashley Pieper, Melissa (Brandon) Marin, Nathan Foth, Becky (Alex) Geis, Kami (Spencer) Geis, Rachel Theis, Brian Theis, MacKenzie Pieper, Dustin Pieper, Brittany Watschke, Tyler Watschke: 19 great-grandchildren; sisters, Jeanette (Ron) Gerres, Leonette LaTour, Ruth Anderson, Marcy (Jerry) Werner; other loving relatives and devoted friends
Phyllis is preceded in death by husband Lenny; parents, Harvery and Irene Molkenbur and brother, Wayne Molkenbur.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Shakopee Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Pieper family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
