Phyllis Mae Arneson was born on April 23, 1929, in Fergus Falls, MN, to Arne and Mayme (Miklebost) Arneson. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Phyllis grew up in Fergus Falls, where she attended school and was an active member of the band, Girls Athletic Association, Campfire Girls, Jobs Daughters, and her church’s youth group. She graduated with the class of 1947.
Following high school, Phyllis worked at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company from 1948 to 1953 as an operator. On October 14, 1952, she married Harris Garberg at Grace Methodist Church in Fergus Falls. In 1957, the couple moved to Fargo, ND, where Phyllis was deeply involved in her community. She was active in the women’s circle, PTA, Boy Scouts as a den mother, Sunday school as a teacher, and a local square dance club.
In 1967, the Garberg family settled in Twin Valley, where they have called home since. Phyllis continued her lifelong passion for service by participating in the women’s circle, serving as a band mother, den mother, and dedicated quilter. She lovingly crafted many prayer shawls over the years and volunteered at the local meal site for more than two decades.
Phyllis loved attending her kids’ and grandkids’ school events especially sporting events, she was a big fan of the Twins and Vikings and always watched their games.
Phyllis’s kindness, dedication to her community, and love for her family will be deeply missed.
Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Karen (Steve) Dahl of Sioux Falls, SD; her sons: Bryan (Clare) Garberg of Lake Park, MN, William (Marcia) Garberg of Hutchinson, MN, and Bruce (Theresa) Garberg of Twin Valley; 15 grandchildren: Andra (Nathan) Kuznia, Kristofer (Pari) Garberg, Adam Garberg (Colie Clapp), Maggie (Nikoli) Falenschek, Matthew Garberg, Liz Bennett; Jessica Garberg, Ashley Garberg, Gretchen Garberg, Zachary Garberg (Kasey), Kelly (Jerry) Vanderhedyt, Benjamin Dahl, Leslie Cannon, Michael (Kalee) Garberg, and Jon (Haley) Garberg; and 20 great-grandchildren: Emma, Logan, Makenna, Quinn, Mark, Michael, Ada, Jonathan, Devon, Braden, Jackson, Monroe, Dior, Peyton C, Gavin, Madison, Reese, Grant, Jazmine and Peyton G. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harris; her sister, Marlys Steen; and a granddaughter, Abby.
Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church or Hospice of the Red River Valley in Phyllis’s honor.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 10:00 am, with a visitation starting one hour before, at Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley. Burial will take place at Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
