Phyllis Ranene Groteluschen, of Monroe, Nebraska, died Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Newport House in Omaha, Nebraska.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 10 at 10:00 AM, at  First United Methodist Church in Columbus, Nebraska, with Rev. Keunsik Lee officiating.  Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery in Columbus.  Visitation will be on Friday from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue Saturday from 9:00 AM until service time at the church.  Memorials may be directed to the family.  The funeral service will be broadcast live on Gass Haney Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057043736890.

Phyllis Ranene Groteluschen was born March 20, 1937, in Pender, Nebraska, to John and Dorothy (Smith) Boydston.  Phyllis grew up in Antelope County on the family farm where she enjoyed helping her dad with farm chores and showed cattle in 4-H at the county and state fairs.  She attended Antelope County District #48 grade school and graduated from Plainview High School, Plainview, Nebraska, in 1955.   While in high school, Phyllis played the clarinet and was active in the Pep Club.  When the weather was bad, she would stay with her grandparents in Plainview.

After high school graduation, Phyllis went to Norfolk Junior College before attending Wayne State Teachers College where she earned her teaching certificate in 1960.  During the summer months, Phyllis worked at Camp Fontanelle (a United Methodist Church Camp) in Nickerson, Nebraska, for two summers.

Phyllis began teaching 1st-2nd graders at Lincoln Elementary School in Columbus for 6.5 years.  While attending a dance in Norfolk, she met a dashing young man, Larry Groteluschen, from Monroe, and the two were united in marriage on August 16, 1964, in Plainview.  They made their home on the Groteluschen family farm near Monroe.  Phyllis would continue teaching until 1968 when she became a stay-at-home mom after Shirley was born in November of 1968.

Phyllis was always active in her church.  She grew up as a member of the Crawford Valley Methodist Church, and was an active member of the Columbus First United Methodist Church, working with the children's programs and for many years directed Vacation Bible School.  She worked closely with Ferne Kathka developing the Nursery Home Program for children from birth to age 2.  When her own daughter turned 2 and there was no Sunday school teacher, she stepped in and taught this class for over 35 years.  Ferne would bring her own grandson along to play with Phyllis's daughter, Shirley, and thus another love story began.

Phyllis also served in the church by playing piano for the children's choir, enjoyed adult Sunday school class, Keystone, and Circle.  She served for many years as the chairman of the funeral committee and volunteered for numerous other events.

Church wasn't the only thing that kept Phyllis busy.  As a farm wife, she did the farm books and took over some of the farming responsibilities when Larry worked off the farm.  She was active in 4-H as a leader, extension clubs, Brownies leader, enjoyed NASCAR, especially going to races in Kansas City to see her favorite engine tuner – her nephew.  She was a Husker and Creighton volleyball, football, and basketball fan.  She followed her grandchildren's activities – sports games, band parent, and music concerts.  Phyllis loved living on the farm most of all, with Charlie, her cat, and kept track of how tall the corn was, and every car or truck that drove in.

Phyllis is survived by:
Daughter – Shirley (Kevin) Kathka of Omaha, NE
Grandson – Chris (Madeline) Kathka of Minneapolis, MN
Granddaughter – Kim Kathka of Omaha, NE
Brother – Wesley (Cynthia) Boydston of Oswego, NY
Niece – Jodene (John) Beck of Fayetteville, NC
Nephew – John (Morgan) Boydston of Concord, NC
Her black cat – Charlie

Phyllis was preceded in death by:
Parents – John and Dorothy Boydston
Husband – Larry Groteluschen
Grandparents, uncles and cousins whose memory she kept alive