IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Phyllis C.
Dunn
August 18, 1927 – February 9, 2017
Obituary
Phyllis Charlotte Schroeder Dunn graced this world with love, kindness and understanding for 89 beautiful years. She peacefully entered God's kingdom on February 9th, surrounded by her adoring family.
Phyllis entered this world August 18, 1927 in Grand Island, the second of five children born to Herbert and Clara Schroeder. She spent her entire life in Grand Island, graduating from Grand Island High in 1945.
After graduation, Phyllis entered training with the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, and then entered St. Francis School of Nursing. That was when she met Joe Dunn, a dashing red-haired Irish Catholic who swept her off her feet. They married on February 3, 1951, and over the next several years welcomed nine children. Phyllis ran the household while Joe worked long hours at Dunn's Pharmacy, the long-time family business. The family was heartbroken when the second-eldest, Michael, died at just eight months old.
For many years, the Dunn family lived in the shadow of St. Mary's Cathedral in a neighborhood swimming with large Catholic families. Phyllis and the other moms formed a support system that helped them survive the overwhelming challenges of raising large families. It's safe to say that Phyllis earned every white hair that covered her precious head.
In 1969, Phyllis returned to work as a surgical nurse at St. Francis Hospital – the beginning of a 20-year career, but family was always her first priority. She demonstrated that when Joe was diagnosed with cancer in 1979. She stayed by his side providing nonstop comfort and care until his death in March of 1980.
Joe's death was a tough loss for the family, but Phyllis remained strong and finished raising the youngest of the eight children while working full-time.
Phyllis retired from St. Francis in 1989. She spent her retirement years doing what she loved: hosting large family get-togethers, baking her famous brownies, taking care of grandbabies, and making countless quilts. For several years, she was actively involved with Project Hunger's annual Easter Basket Extravaganza.
During her later years, her children were always there to see to her every need.
They helped her through another heart breaking loss when son Bill died unexpectedly in 2014.
When Phyllis became seriously ill this past November and was hospitalized, her family was with her, day and night, until her death. She was adored by her children, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who called her Grandma Go-Go.
She was a member of St. Leo's Catholic Church, an Admiral in Nebraska Navy, and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Phyllis is survived by children Patricia (Terry) Jarolimek, John (Karolina) Dunn, David (Tricia) Dunn, Colleen (Dick) Larsen, Jerry (Brenda) Dunn, Mary (Dan) Slattery, and Jody (Dallan) Maas; daughter-in-law Barbara Dunn; grandchildren Jamie (Honor) Dunn, Angie Dunn and their mother, Vicky Dunn, Michael Dunn, Matt (A.J.) Hodtwalker, Beth Hodtwalker, Keeley Dunn, Molly (Joe) Tubman, Sherree (Ty) Stahn, Kara (Ryan) Baney, Joe (Jamie) Larsen, Jason Dunn, Bob Slattery, Kelly Slattery, Cassandra (Chad) Baldwin, Amber Meyer, Ryan (Lisa) Maas, and Brandon Maas, Jed Jarolimer, Jill Jarolimek, Brooke Jarolimek; great-grandchildren Chloe and Harper Dunn, Flynn Hodtwalker, Avery Larsen, Shane and Hailey Stahn, Stella Slattery, and Elijah Baldwin, Dillon Jarolimek, Brady Jarolimek; great great granddaughter, Anna; her sister and best friend Darlene (Al) Knoepfel, sisters-in-law Mary Voss, Sandy Schroeder and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sons Michael and Bill, and siblings Harold Schroeder, Maxine Little, and Jerry Schroeder.
Memorials are suggested to St. Leo's Catholic Church or Bill Dunn Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o GICC Foundation.
Mass of Christian burial will be Monday, February, 13, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Leo's Catholic Church. The celebrant is Rev. Donald A. Buhrman. Burial will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, February 12, 2017, from 4 – 7 p.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.
Thoughts and prayers may be given and video tribute viewed at under Phyllis's obituary.
Visitation
Sunday, February 12, 2017 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Curran Funeral Chapel 3005 South Locust Street Grand Island, Nebraska 68801Vigil service at 7:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian BurialMonday, February 13, 2017 10:30 AM
St. Leo's Catholic Church 2410 South Blaine Grand Island, Nebraska 68803
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