Phyllis Ruth Fellers, of Goddard, KS formerly of Ashland and Protection, KS, passed away in Wichita on July 5, 2023, at the age of 82. Phyllis was born in Hays, KS July 1, 1941, to Freemond and Garland Peterson. She grew up with her two sisters and brother on the family dairy farm a mile north of Protection, KS. She had a wonderful childhood with two loving parents and cherished memories with her parents, brother, and sisters. On the farm and in her family, she learned the work ethic, values, manners, and religious beliefs that would define her for the rest of her life.

Phyllis graduated from Protection High School in 1959 and then attended nursing school at Stormont Vail in Topeka, KS. Her nursing education was interrupted after she met John Thomas Fellers, from Ashland, KS. Phyllis and Tom met when they were a groomsman and bridesmaid at Tom's brother, Robert, and Phyllis's sister, Pat's wedding. Shortly thereafter Tom and Phyllis were married in Protection, KS on May 21, 1961, and enjoyed 61 years of marriage until Tom passed away April 2, 2023.

Phyllis and Tom lived for two years in Scott City, KS where Tom taught school. In the summers they would come home to Ashland, KS to run the municipal swimming pool. They moved back to Ashland, KS when Tom was offered a job in the Stockgrowers State Bank in 1963. During the fifty plus years they lived in Ashland, Phyllis's number one priority was raising her three children, Jacque born in 1962, Tom born in 1965, and Elizabeth born in 1968. Phyllis and Tom also had a fourth child, David Craig, who was born in 1964 and passed away as an infant; while she seldom spoke of this, she always carried David in her heart.

While focused on her family and home Phyllis also supported her husband's career and efforts to serve and promote the community of Ashland. Phyllis worked for many years at the Ashland High School office as the secretary for the Superintendent. Later she helped manage the Ashland Health Clinic office. She was a member of many groups including the Ashland United Methodist Church Women's Group and PEO. She loved to sew and when her children were young, she sewed many of their early school clothes that are forever memorialized in their school pictures. Later in life she developed a love of quilting and enjoyed the company and talking with her quilting friends as much as the actual quilting. She was a wonderful cook and made the best cinnamon rolls in the world according to her children. Simply put, she was a wonderful and loyal wife and mother and will be greatly missed by her family.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents: Freemond and Garland Peterson; her husband: John Thomas Fellers; her infant son: David Craig; and brother-in-law: Robert Fellers.

She is survived by her children: Jacquelyn Cherie Stearns and husband Jim of Goddard, KS; Thomas Scott Fellers and wife Ellea of Lawrence, KS; and Elizabeth Ann Wager and husband Jeff of Wichita, KS. Phyllis and Tom were blessed with seven grandchildren (Alex, Andrew, Katie, John, Hunter, Natalie, and Austin) and 6 great-grandchildren (Benjamin, Charlotte, Arthur, Tristen, Mackenzie, and Donovan). She also leaves behind three siblings: Patricia Fellers of Ashland, KS; Shirley (Wilbur) Wood of Trousdale, KS; and Charles (Penny) Peterson of Protection, KS. Phyllis is also survived by a multitude of extended family, and many dear friends.

Viewing and Visitation with Family Present will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, July 9, 2023, at Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home in Coldwater, KS.

Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 10, 2023, at Ashland Bible Church in Ashland, KS with Pastor Rick Branson presiding.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Ashland Bible Church in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029.