Phyllis F. Dihel

Phyllis Dihel, 95, passed away on June 1, 2013, in Snohomish, Washington of complications from congestive heart failure. She was born Phyllis Freda Voss in Surprise, Nebraska on August 4, 1917, the fourth of six children of Gerhardt and Rose Voss. She married the love of her life, Merle Dihel, in Nebraska in 1936 and they promptly moved to Yakima, Washington with Merle’s family, looking for work and a better life. In 1942, Phyllis and Merle moved to Seattle. When Merle entered the army in 1943, Phyllis took a job at Todd Shipyard as a key punch operator. After the war, she worked in the billing department at Frederick & Nelson until daughter Debbie was born in 1952. In 1963, Merle and Phyllis bought a natural foods store in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood which they successfully ran for 12 years, selling it in 1975. They moved to Kirkland and enjoyed retirement, taking trips and camping in their motor home. When their grandchildren came along, they became a top priority. After Merle passed away in 1998, Phyllis remained in their house. She loved gardening, taking care of her home and enjoying her close friendships with her neighbors. When her heart problems began in 2006, at the age of 89, she made the decision to leave her beloved home of 31 years and move to Garden Court Retirement Community in Everett in order to be closer to daughter Debbie. She immediately made new friends and enjoyed her lovely apartment for 6 ½ years. In February of this year, she moved from Garden Court to Around the World Adult Family Home in Snohomish, where she was given gentle and loving care.

Phyllis and Merle became active in the Disabled American Veterans shortly after WWII. They both devoted their time and energy for 50 years, at the local, state and national levels, aiding disabled veterans and their families. Many lifelong friends were met through the D.A.V.

Phyllis’ family always came first and her greatest joy was her two grandchildren, Matt and Amy. She insisted on hosting every holiday and birthday, creating special dinners and having the family celebrate together.

She was a loving and faithful wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who will be greatly missed but continue to live on in the hearts of everyone that she touched with her lovely smile and caring and giving nature.

Phyllis is survived by her daughter Debbie Kirstein (Tim), grandson Matt Kirstein (Natalie), granddaughter Amy Thornton (Jeremy), brother-in-law Orville Dihel, and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the assisted living staff at Garden Court for their thoughtfulness and a special thank you to Gabriela Talaba, owner of Around the World Adult Family Home and especially staff member Pam for their compassion and loving care during the last four months of Phyllis’ life.

A private family service and interment was held on June 8, 2013 at Acacia Memorial Park in Seattle.

Donations in her name can be made to Boys Town, which was very dear to her heart, at boystown.org. Please sign our online memorial to share thoughts and memories with the family at bauerfuneralchapel.com.