Seim, Phyllis Gratia peacefully passed away on January 24, 2020, in Stillwater. She was 83. She was born in Minneapolis on May 6, 1936, the youngest of Laura and George Knudson's three daughters. She graduated from Marinette High School in Marinette, Wis. (1954) and Augsburg College with a degree in vocal music education and biology in 1958. Phyllis was a beloved music teacher who loved her students, music and teaching. She taught elementary music at six elementary schools in Stillwater, MN & at an elementary school & military base in Minot, ND. Family was everything to Phyllis. She and Howie were loving parents to Teri, Kirk and Amy. After Howie's death she found and married the second love of her life, Hal Seim. They loved to dance and renovate homes together. Phyllis loved music and loved to sing. She directed many choirs, sang solos and sang in many choirs throughout her life. Faith was the foundation on which Phyllis built her life and raised her family. She was always active at church and served as council president at American Lutheran Church in Sun City. She cherished her grandsons and shared her love of games and nature with them. An accomplished baker and cook, Phyllis loved to entertain, often welcoming family, friends and new acquaintances into her home. Phyllis was faith-filled, hard-working, kind, loving, and generous. We will miss her warm hugs and playful sense of humor. Phyllis is survived by children Teri Collaro (Anthony) of Naperville, IL; Kirk Olson (Suzanne) of Maple Grove; Amy Zastrow (Eric) of Stillwater; stepdaughter Amy Seim; and grandchildren Andrew Bailey, Ryan Zastrow and Leo Olson; many cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends. She is preceded in death by her loving husbands, Howard Olson and Hal Seim; parents Laura and George Knudson; sisters Audrey Boettcher and Irma Thorpe. Celebration of Life on Friday, Feb. 28, at 11 a.m. at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi. Greet the family at 10 a.m. and during lunch following the service. Interment at a later date at Fairview Cemetery in Stillwater. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Augsburg University (George J. Knudson Scholarship Fund), American Lutheran Church (Sun City, AZ) and St. Andrews Lutheran Church (Mahtomedi, MN)

Published on February 9, 2020