Phyllis R. Oliver was born January 25, 1923, in Glidden, Iowa, the second child of Charles Gordon Robson and Myra Ewart Robson. She died on January 31, 2022, just days after celebrating her 99th birthday.
She graduated from Minot Senior High School in Minot, North Dakota in 1940.
In 1942 she married Vernon Runnestrand, and they moved to Odessa, Texas, where her two children were born, a daughter, Joy, and a son, Chuck. They subsequently moved to Midland, Texas, where her parents and her sister, Clarine, also moved from Minot.
While in Midland, Phyllis worked as Secretary to the President of Midland National Bank and became the first woman officer of the bank and first Certified Professional Secretary in Midland.
In 1969 she married Donald Oliver and they moved to Lakeway where Phyllis became an avid golfer and lover of the game. Shortly after their marriage, they formed Custer Oil Co., which they worked on together until its sale in 1984.
They were members of the Garden of the Gods Club and Kissing Camels Golf Club in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for many years, where Phyllis and Don purchased an additional home and a small mountain ranch near Cripple Creek, Colorado. In addition to extended stays in Colorado they traveled extensively to various golf resorts in the United States.
In the early years in Lakeway Phyllis and Don were highly active in civic and community affairs, including working on the committee for incorporation of Lakeway in 1974. They were part of a group who organized the Lakeway Ecumenical Church, which later became the Lakeway Church. They originated the idea for the Church’s Memorial Garden and contributed the fence and gate in honor of Phyllis’ mother. Phyllis also donated the sculpture “Children & Doves” along with water features dedicated to Don Oliver.
After Don’s death in 2006, Phyllis became an active member of the Lakeway Solos Club, making many new friends and never missing an activity or outing. She was also active in several bridge groups and enjoyed hosting them at her beautiful home, with the help of her devoted housekeeper and caretaker, Gloria Ayala.
In 2015, she was fortunate to discover The Harbor at Lakeway, now Arbor Terrace at Lakeway, where she moved and found new friends and activities.
She was a loving wife, devoted mother, and a generous and thoughtful grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Art and Doug.
She is survived by daughter Joy Roberts and her husband, Don Roberts, and by son Chuck Runnestrand; grandchildren Jason Leonard, Casey Runnestrand and his wife Angelina, and Lee Ann Roberts; great grandchildren Olivet, Jacob, and Paizlea; sister Clarine Groening of Dallas; and many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to give thanks to Arbor Terrace and Valerian Hospice for their care and to the caregivers who gave their time and attention. The family also extends deepest gratitude to Gloria Ayala for her many years of compassionate assistance.
