Phyllis Ann Gengenbach

Phyllis Ann Gengenbach of Cozad, Nebraska passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2024 at Cedarhurst Senior Living in La Vista, Nebraska. Phyllis was born December 22, 1942 at Sidney, Nebraska to Edward and Gladys (Davis) Dokken. Phyllis was baptized at the American Lutheran Church in Cozad, Nebraska. She was confirmed at the American Lutheran Church. She attended country school north of Cozad and attended Cozad High School and graduated in 1961. She attended Kearney State College and received her Bachelor of Science in 1964 with a double major in Mathematics and English. She received her Master of Science degree from Kearney State College in 1967. In 1964, she began her first teaching position in the Eustis Public Schools. She taught Math and English. She was advisor for the yearbook, Pep Club Sponsor, Director of Senior Class Play and Senior Class Sponsor. Under her leadership, the students of the senior class earned yearbook awards. She began teaching Math & Geometry in the Cozad City Schools in 1967. Phyllis took time off from teaching to be home with her daughters. She later returned to teaching Math & English in the Eustis School System. She finished her teaching career in the Paxton Public Schools in 2005 where she taught all Math classes. Phyllis married Jim Gengenbach on February 28, 1964 at the American Lutheran Church in Cozad. The couple was blessed with three daughters, Jamie, Jill, and Jacey. She was a member of American Lutheran Church in Cozad, Nebraska. She was church organist from the time she was a sophomore in high school in 1959, until the Spring of 2018. Due to health issues she was unable to continue on with the responsibilities of being church organist. She loved selecting the hymns for Sunday Worship services. She felt especially honored when families would request her to play in their time of sorrow and grief. The American Lutheran Church was especially important to her because her parents, Ed & Gladys Dokken, were Charter Members. Her parents and several other families started and organized what is known today as the American Lutheran Church in Cozad, Nebraska. Phyllis served actively on different church boards throughout the years. Phyllis enjoyed her plants and flowers. She loved her books and reading. Most of all she loved being “Grandma” and baking. She would make a special Ghost Cake for each of the girls in elementary school and for her students in Eustis and Paxton. Even at high school level, the students enjoyed the Ghost Cake and other treats she would share. Her chocolate chip pizza was also a favorite amongst many. Phyllis served as chairman of the March Of Dimes cake auction for many years with her close friend Mary Jane Vasey. She was involved with all of the Cozad Swim Team meet activities. She made Christmas angels yearly and would give them to friends and family. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Dokken and Gladys Seyler and Stepfather Clem Seyler; Father-In-Law and Mother In-Law, Fred & Ilene Gengenbach; Stepbrothers Les Seyler and Dale Seyler; Stepsister Kathleen Gifford; Nephew Leslie Seyler; Brothers-in-Law Doug Gengenbach and Larry Brown. Survivors include: her husband of 60 years Jim; daughters Jamie (Glen) Petersen of LeRoy, Illinois; Jill (Teo) Ertan of Omaha, Nebraska; Jacey Gengenbach of Omaha, Nebraska. Grandchildren: Cheyenne Petersen, Logan Petersen, Tiana Ertan and Tristan Gengenbach. Brothers-In-Law and Sisters-In Law: Kurt & Twyla Gengenbach, Houston, Texas: Galen Gengenbach, Cozad, Nebraska; Dianne Brown, Greeley, Colorado; MeriKay Berg, Lexington, Nebraska; Janese Gengenbach, Cozad, Nebraska and Kay Seyler, Greeley, Colorado. Numerous nephews, nieces and extended family. Online condolences may be shared at www.berrymanfuneralhome.com. Memorials are suggested to the family and will be designated at a later date. Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be held Friday, January 3, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at the American Lutheran Church with Pastor Kathy Gundell officiating. Burial will follow at Cozad Cemetery. A memorial book signing with family present will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Berryman Funeral Home.