Phyllis Marie (Bartels) Fulwider, 90, passed peacefully at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, Minn., on Friday, December 28, 2018, after a lengthy illness. It was her wish to be cremated and the family will have a graveside ceremony in the spring in Anamosa, Iowa, where she will be laid to rest next to her husband.
Phyllis, the daughter of William and Mary Bartels, was born December 31, 1927, in Deleware, Iowa. She grew up in Hopkinton, Iowa, and attended Hopkinton Schools. Phyllis married Forest L. Fulwider on June 15, 1944, in Hopkinsville, Ky. She lived most of her life in Anamosa, Iowa, but moved to Greenleafton, Minn., in 2003, after retiring from her job driving children with special needs to schools in and around Anamosa.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Mary Bartels, her husband Forest L. Fulwider, two sisters, Inez Tucker and Leona Leytem; one brother, Maynard Bartels and one grandchild, Jaime Henry.
She is survived by one sister, Delores Mohr of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; one brother, Dean Bartels of Freeport, Ill.; five sons: Thomas of Vanleer, Tenn., Dennis of LeRoy, Minn., Jeffrey of Rock Island, Ill.; Mark of Woodway, Tex.; and Gary of Reeds Springs, Mo.; four daughters: Deanna of Rockford, Ill.; Charlotte of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Marsha of Waco, Tex., and Karen of Preston, Minn.; 18 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.