Phyllis Kirkland

Phyllis Fern (Thompson) Kirkland, 102, died Tuesday, November 27, 2018, at Genesis Medical Center in Davenport, Iowa. Phyllis lived most of her life around Macksburg, Iowa. She moved to Davenport six years prior to her death to be near her daughter. A visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 15, at Ochiltree Funeral Service in Winterset with a memorial service immediately following at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at a later date in the Moon Cemetery, near Macksburg. Memorials may be directed to the Macksburg Methodist Church or St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Bettendorf. Online condolences may be left for the family at ochiltree.com. A second memorial service will be held in January at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Bettendorf. Times and dates will be scheduled and communicated later. Phyllis Fern Thompson was born in Macksburg on June 7, 1916, to J. C. and Mary Alice (Catterlin) Thompson. She grew up in Macksburg and graduated from Macksburg High School. She received an Associate Degree from Creston Junior College and a Bachelor’s Degree from Drake University. She married Cleve (Curly) Wilmer Kirkland May 2, 1942, in Warsaw, Missouri. Curly preceded her in death on April 26, 1981. From the time she was very small, Phyllis wanted to be a teacher, playing school with her kittens. She taught for 30 years in a field that she loved. She began her teaching career at a country school and spent most of her career with the Orient-Macksburg Community School District. Phyllis was an active member of the United Methodist Churches in Macksburg and Winterset. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Kirkland; son-in-law, Leonard Dose; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, extended family, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and siblings: Sam Thompson, John Thompson, and Evelyn Harden.