Phyllis Hanse

Phyllis Hanse 98 of Webster passed away Saturday May 14, 2016 at Bethesda Home in Webster. Her funeral will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday May 19, 2016 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Webster, Rev. William Olsen will officiate. Burial will be in the Webster Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. Phyllis Hanse was born on Saturday, June 30, 1917 to Edwin and Cora (Johnson) Hanse at Peabody Memorial Hospital in Webster, South Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster. She attended school in Webster and graduated from Webster High School in 1935. She furthered her education at Augustana College in Sioux Falls and graduated with a degree in music and English in 1939. After graduation she moved to Claire C ity, South Dakota where she taught music for three years. She also taught school in Waubay, Hitchcock and Aberdeen before moving to the west coast where she taught in Oregon and other schools up and down the coast. While there she pursued and advanced Music Degree. Phyllis returned to Webster in 1953, to care for her mother and manage her father’s farming interests, after the death of her father. She taught school in Webster for a short time and then became active in St. John’s Lutheran Church. Her passion was teaching young children piano lessons and she taught more than 1000 students over time. She so enjoyed seeing her students develop. She retired from giving lessons in 2005. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church where she was church organist from 1965-1998. She was the director of the youth choir, member of the Lydia Bible Study group, W.E.L.C.A., a Senior Choir member and a Bell Choir member. She was also a member of the Progressive Reading Circle, Sons of Norway, National Guild of Piano Teachers and the American College of Musicians. She had a great love of Pickerel Lake and spending time at the Hanse Family Cabin which was her favorite place to entertain her many friends. When her father built the cabin it was one of the first cabins at the South End of Pickerel Lake. Phyllis had a great love for her hometown of Webster, including all music and athletic events. "Once a Bearcat - Always a Bearcat!" She also loved anything Augustana ! Phyllis took delight in her interaction with her young students. She just loved the kids, you could often hear her remark "kids are so genuine ." She so enjoyed listening to their stories and adventures. It made her so happy. Phyllis passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at Webster, South Dakota at the age of 98 years, 10 months and 14 days. Left to survive her are cousins, many close friends and her former students. She was preceded in death by her parents.