Phyllis Rose (Riesgraf) Kalal

Phyllis Rose (Riesgraf) Kalal, age 86, of Prior Lake, MN, passed peacefully on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville, MN.

A time of gathering will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2024, from 4-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake, and on Friday, September 13, 2024, from 10-10:45 am, with a Mass of Christian Burial, at 11 am, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside. Phyllis will be laid to rest at Credit River Cemetery, in Credit River, MN.

Guests may join the Mass via live streaming at Stmichael-pl.org and clicking on the live stream tabs and then to Phyllis' mass icon. 

Phyllis Rose Kalal was born on April 17, 1938, in New Prague, MN to parents Cletus and Mary (Henkel) Riesgraf. She was the eldest of nine children in a time where bathwater had to be pumped from across the road and shared by the whole family. In elementary school, she disliked the lunchroom smell so much that she’d sneak out to eat at her aunt’s house instead. Even so, she was a good student and graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1956.

She married LeRoy Kalal on April 26, 1958. They had seven children together and made their home in Prior Lake, where they lovingly hosted large, multi-family gatherings throughout the years. Once all the children were in school, Phyllis started a 23-year career on the assembly line at Thermo King in Bloomington where she made many lifelong friends and thoroughly enjoyed the job.

In retirement and after the passing of her husband, she kept herself busy by tending to her garden, making beautiful quilts, volunteering, and frequently visiting friends and loved ones. She was always joining a new club or taking a new class, learning everything from ballroom dancing to using an iPad. She could make the biggest meal out of the least amount of ingredients, but she had a soft spot for a good burger or coffee and donuts after church. While medical complications would come and go throughout her life, she had a remarkable ability to keep getting back up and onto the next new project.

Phyllis is forever loved by her children, Mark (Rhonda) Kalal, John (Julie) Kalal, Michael (Cindy) Kalal, Paul (Robin) Kalal, Linda (Doug) Mohagen, Daniel Kalal, Donald (Lori) Kalal; grandchildren, Melissa, Jennifer, Bryce, Kaylee, Sarah, Jinniece, Tristyn, Jared, Alivia, McKenna, Joe, Brad; siblings, Diane Riesgraf, Verena Walden, Avis (Ron) Lansing, Jeanne (Kevin) Krueger; and countless other loving friends and relatives.

Phyllis is preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy; parents, Cletus and Mary; siblings, Justin, Eugene, Elroy, and Dennis.

Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation proudly served the Kalal family.