Phyllis Ann Schroeder

Phyllis Ann Smoyer was born December 27th, 1949 to Helen and Lowell Smoyer of Fullerton, NE. She was the 2nd oldest of eight Smoyer children. After graduating from Fullerton High, Phyllis attended Kearney State College, where she majored in education. Phyllis was a part of the Wagoneers cheer/dance squad at KSC, and there she met Dennis Schroeder, who played football for the Lopers.

Denny and Phyllis were married on April 4th, 1970. Their son, Jason Kyle, was born on July 20th, 1971, and daughter, Molly Christine, was born on July 5th, 1974. Phyllis paused her education to raise the kids, but always had a passion for working with children. She started work as a teaching assistant at Cody Elementary, and eventually returned to finish her education degree, taking classes at both UNO and UNL. She had a brilliant mind and a gift for writing.

Phyllis had a long career in Millard Public Schools as a PE teacher, starting at Holling Heights Elementary, and finishing her career at Millard South High School both teaching PE and coaching volleyball and track. She was a great teacher, and had high expectations for her students. She also found great pride in the upcoming young teachers she hired and mentored. Her teaching friends were family to her and she loved them dearly.

After Denny passed way too soon in April 1998, Phyllis spent her time with family and friends, especially enjoying trips to the family cabin in Woodland Park, CO, reading on her deck, and cooking and hosting numerous gatherings at her home. Phyllis was a night owl, and spent many nights playing Words with Friends and texting with her sisters. There was rarely a Millard South sporting event where Phyllis wasn’t on the sidelines or in the bleachers cheering on the kids and coaches. She was also a fixture at all of her grandkids’ events for school, sports, and dance.

She was a wonderful mother and mother-in-law, but her true calling was being a grandmother to her adored grandchildren: Callan, Kyle, Aaron, and Caitlin. She talked to them and saw them every chance she got, and let them know at every opportunity that they were her favorite people in the world.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis, parents Lowell and Helen Smoyer, sister Mary Holdorff and her husband Steve, brothers Doug and Tim, and parents-in-law Orville and Kathleen Schroeder.

She is survived by her children: Jason (Jessica) Schroeder of Concord, NC and Molly (Jason) Engdahl of Omaha, and grandchildren: Callan and Kyle Schroeder, Aaron and Caitlin Engdahl, sisters: Roberta (Dennis) Duffy of Alexandria, VA, Vicki (Mike) Croot of Windsor, CO, and Lori (Jamie) Dilla of Riva, MD, brother Kevin (Sandy) Smoyer of Phillips, NE, sister-in-law Karen Smoyer of Springdale, AR; brothers-in-law: Ed (Susan) Schroeder of Wayne, NE, Rich (Alyson) Schroeder of Carroll, IA, sisters-in-law: Ann (Glenn) Wolfgang of Huntingtown, MD and Sue (Larry) Richards of Riverside, CA, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

If you knew Phyllis, chances are she cooked you a meal, listened when you needed an ear, and mentored you in some way. She left a legacy that will never be forgotten.

In Phyllis’s memory, please consider a donation to either: Millard South High School (direct to food pantry) or Millard South Athletic Boosters.