Phyllis Newman, 74 of Columbus, Nebraska, died Sunday, June 3, 2007, at her home in Columbus.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 6, at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Columbus with Rev. Bill Ritter officiating.  Interment will be in the Columbus Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Wednesday from 1:00 PM until service time at the church.  There will be a family prayer service on Wednesday at 1:45 PM at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the church.

Phyllis Newman was born October 8, 1932, in Burwell, Nebraska, to Clarence and Margaret (Banks) Johnson.  She graduated from Burwell High School and moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where she worked at the state capitol.  She was united in marriage to to Clifford "Neil" Newman on December 21, 1952, in Burwell, Nebraska.  Columbus became their home in 1958.  Phyllis worked in the catalog department at Sears for 17 years.  She was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Keystone group, and served on the memorial committee for several years.  Phyllis was a member of the Royal Neighbors and the Eastern Star. She enjoyed gardening, knitting, crocheting, baking, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Phyllis is survived by:

Husband - Neil Newman of Columbus, NE

Son - Dan (Cindy) Newman of Omaha, NE

     Grandchildren - Brandon and Brett Newman of Omaha, NE

Daughter - Beth (John) French of Columbus, NE

     Grandchildren - Nicole French of Chicago, IL

                                    Nick French of Lincoln, NE

Brother - Merle (Carolyn) Johnson of Columbus, NE

Brother - Sam (Kathy) Johnson of Columbus, NE

Sister - Sherry Brannen of Thousand Oakes, CA

Sister-in-law - Martha Johnson of Thousand Oak, CA

Several nieces and nephews

 

Phyllis was preceded in death by:

Parents - Clarence and Margaret Johnson

Brother - Richard Johnson

SERVICE FOLDER

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work, or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I've found that peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembering joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah, yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with time of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I've savored much,
Good friends good times, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me
God wanted me now; He set me free.



In Memory Of

Phyllis Newman

Born
Saturday, October 8, 1932
Burwell, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Columbus, Nebraska

Service
Wednesday, June 6, 2007     2:00 PM
First United Methodist Church
Columbus, Nebraska

Officiating
Rev. Bill Ritter

Music
Denene Owens - Organist
Rev. Bill Ritter - Soloist
"In The Garden"
"You Raise Me Up"
Congregational Hymn
"The Old Rugged Cross"

Casket Bearers
Don Carlson                  Steve Johnson
Mark Johnson               John Swirczek
Keith Harbour              Mark Niedbalski

Interment
Columbus Cemetery
Columbus, Nebraska