Phyllis J. Schelske

Cold Spring, MN

May 25, 1923 – August 8, 2024

            Phyllis J. Schelske, age 101, of Cold Spring, MN, died Thursday, August 8, 2024 at the Paynesville Nursing Home. Visitation will be at Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN on Friday, September 20, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. A short Memorial Service will be held at 6:00PM with a time of sharing memories. Private interment will be arranged by the family at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls, MN where her husband is buried.

            Phyllis was born on May 25, 1923 in Boston, MA to Warren and Vera Baker of Greenwood, MA. She graduated from Greenwood/Wakefield High School and then took courses at Prudential Company in Boston, and started working for them. Phyllis married Alvin Schleske on September 16, 1944 and lived the Navy life, moving to several different places, including Connecticut, Key West and Coral Gables, Florida. After WWII, they moved to New York City, where Phyllis typed Al’s Thesis, as he completed his Master’s Degree at Columbia University. They moved to Albion, Idaho, where Alvin taught at Southern Idaho Teachers College. After several years, they moved back to New York City, where Alvin completed his Doctorate in Education. They moved to St. Cloud, MN in 1952, where Alvin served as Principal of Campus Lab School at St. Cloud State College. Phyllis was active in Faculty Wives, The League of Women Voters, and taught Sunday School and MYF (teens) at First United Methodist Church. She served on Welcome Wagon for new residents, was active in the yearly SCSU Fundraising ball and the Summer Lemonade Concert. She was an active member of Elks Club, the Moose Club, the Country Club, US Tennis Association, and many other activities. She hosted many SCSU guests at their home with grace and great food. Phyllis and her husband also welcomed three young Viet Nam boys, who had worked for the US Military, and barely escaped Viet Nam with their lives. The boys stayed with them several years. Khai Nguyen stayed longer and became a permanent part of the family. Phyl and Al hosted international students from SCSU, CSB and SJU for holiday meals, and helped in any way they could.

            In 1965, they took an opportunity through Columbia University to teach at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. They engulfed themselves in African culture and education, and lived the expatriate life. They made friends from all over the world during their 4-year stay, and opened their home to many. Phyllis served on the board of the newly organized Disabled Men’s Native Arts Workshop, which supported their livelihood. Because of her involvement, she was able to meet Pope Paul, when he visited Uganda in 1967. Phyl and Al climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, a rugged and humbling experience back then.

            They returned to St. Cloud and SCSU in 1969, and picked up where they left off. When Amin took over Uganda, Benina Musuuza helped faculty fleeing Uganda as Amin waged a military takeover in 1972. Benina Musuuza was a CSB student then, whose funding was completely cut off. Phyl and Al took her under wing. She is still part of our family.

            Before retirement in 1980, Phyllis worked as secretary at the United Methodist Church, and continued her many activities. They retired in Clermont, FL and continued to stay active. They volunteered at the local food bank, did Meals on Wheels, participated in Senior Olympics in tennis, the Walk for Cancer, etc… She was most proud of her sorority, Theta Tau, her garden club entries, and hosting lots of company in their home.

            Phyllis is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two brothers, and one sister. She is survived by her children: Paul (Patsy Doll) of St. Cloud, Kristin (Vern Moening) of Maple Grove, and David (Lori Kiess) of Cold Spring, seven grandchildren: Andrea, Joshua, Sara, Anthony, Amanda, Ally, and Abbey, and 15 great-grandchildren. Like her late husband, Phyllis also felt that there was no greater duty and reward than to positively contribute to the lives of others. She is most lovingly remembered by her family and friends. Her smile brought sunshine, no matter where she was.