Phyllis Alberta Tapper, 87, of Vinton, died Friday, April 17, 2009, at Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehab following a lengthy illness.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 20, 2009, at First Christian Church in Vinton with Rev. Connie Wacht officiating. Visitation will be held Sunday, April 19, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home from 4 until 7 p.m. and one hour prior to services at church on Monday. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton.
Phyllis was born August 3, 1921, in Eddyville, Iowa, the daughter of Ben and Edna Sedrel Van Zuuk. She was baptized in Eddyville and confirmed at Ebeneezer Reformed Church in Leighton, Iowa. She graduated from Tracy Consolidated High School in 1938 and from Central College Normal Training in Pella in 1940. She was an elementary school teacher in Newburg, Iowa, from 1940 until 1942.
On October 15, 1940, Phyllis was united in marriage with John Harm “Jack” Tapper in Titonka, Iowa. After residing in Oskaloosa and Cedar Rapids, Jack and Phyllis resided in Vinton from 1948 until 1965, where they owned and operated the PlaMor Roller Skating Rink. During this time, they were members of First Presbyterian Church, and Phyllis was a member of the Vinton Women’s Club. Phyllis was currently a member of First Christian Church in Vinton.
Phyllis returned to college and received her B.A. from Upper Iowa in 1971. She taught 3rd and 4th grades in Alburnett for 17 years, retiring in 1984.
She enjoyed quilting, sewing, crafts, playing cards, gardening and family dinners. Phyllis and Jack lived at Lake Delhi for many years, where the family enjoyed swimming, boating and water skiing. The couple also enjoyed square dancing and were members of the local Grange. After Phyllis retired from teaching, she and Jack traveled to Europe, New England, Alaska, California, Florida, along with many other locations.
Phyllis is survived by two daughters: Nancy (Stan) Geiken of Vinton and Judy (Alva) Parizek of Center Point; one brother, Dean (Marcia) Van Zuuk of Nevada City, CA; six grandchildren: Matthew Geiken, Melissa (Andrew) Chansley, Toby Parsons and friend Shana Darnell-Lewis, Jeremy Parsons and friend Crystal Hildebrand, Dylan Messer and foster grandson Doug (Becky) Mart; six great-grandchildren: Seth, Sadie, Keely, T.J., Stone and Lukas; one brother-in-law, Donald (Norma) Tapper; one sister-in-law, Elida Tapper; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father in 1939; her mother in 1975; and her husband in 1991.
Memorials may be directed to First Christian Church, 1209 W. 13th St., Vinton, IA 52349 or to Camp Courageous of Iowa, P.O. Box 418, Monticello, IA 52310-0418.