Phyllis Gaven – Obit

Phyllis Gaven died on Easter Sunday, April 17th,2022 at Sedona Winds in Sedona Az at the age of 92. May her memory be blessed.

The memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, June 3, 2022, at St. John Lutheran Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Reverend Jeffrey Lytle and Reverend Thomas R. Eckstein Officiating. Burial will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery near Red Lake Falls, MN

Phyllis Anne Gaven was born on December 20th, 1929 in Brown Creek Township, Red Lake County, MN, the daughter of Fred and Adena (Harbott) Eckstein. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wylie Mn. She attended school in Red Lake Falls at Lafayette High School.

On September 6th,1948 Phyllis was united in marriage to James Gaven at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Red Lake Falls. They moved and farmed in Pennington County and later moved to St. Hilaire

Phyllis worked at the Northwest Medical Center for 45 years. She was the supervisor of the laundry department till her retirement.

During her retirement, Phyllis enjoyed gardening, baking, and ceramics. She spent most of the day working in her large flower beds weeding and keeping the soil black. All the different ceramics and themes were her creation. Many flower clubs visited her garden and guest from around the world. Phyllis was featured in both the Grand Forks Herald and Red Lake Falls Gazette newspaper.

She loved all animals, especially her Boston Terrier and the two Pugs.
Phyllis is survived by her daughter Susan Christensen of Big Stone City S.D, Randy and Lori Gaven of Cornville Az. , grandchildren Drew, Shannon and Mitchel and one sister Marion Anderson of Anchorage Ak as well as many great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband James Gaven and son Ricky Gaven, son-in-law Gary Christensen, her parents, three brothers Roger, Virgil and Robert Eckstein and infant brother Fred Eckstein Jr and one sister Verda Almquist, two brothers-in-law Woodrow Almquist and Charles Anderson.