FERTILE, IOWA – A North Iowa woman who wasn’t afraid to speak up on controversial issues has passed away.
Phyllis Rexine Willis, 74 of Fertile, died Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at her home surrounded by family, her obituary says.
Phyllis became known throughout the area for her rural, down-to-earth style and her friendly demeanor who always smiled and had a way of injecting a little humor into a contentious town hall meeting. She was a frequent attendee at city council and other governmental meetings when a big ag or environmental issue was on the line. She would describe her experience of years of farming in rural Iowa and raising pigs in a humane way. Perhaps most notably, Phyllis helped lead the grassroots charge in Mason City to turn bag a massive pork slaughterhouse that big shots like mayors, governors and chambers of commerce had made clear was destined to be built here – but ultimately, was not. She attended many meetings and spoke eloquently in defense of the air, water and soil that might have been affected by the development.
Many folks left remembrances of Phyllis on her social media page. One man wrote “Phyllis Westcott Willis was one of the best people I have ever met. She was a warrior but a gentle soul. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched.”
Really interesting lady. Promotes environmentally friendly living but misled public about the antibiotic free hogs she promoted to have raised, but in reality was having such products mixed into the feed she fed them. A little of the “kill them with kindness” theory while contradicting what she actually did.
Thank you for your patriotism and love of America – will be missed by the honest people and unknown to the liberal stupid snowflakes she also protected.
Phyllis would be appalled at your comments about liberals and the way you twist things around. Liberals don’t support corporate welfare, conservatives do.
Maybe we could make an exception for this obit only by keeping the mud slinging out of it and just focus on Phyllis? ☺️
Another opponent of the corporate hog plant passes away – must be something in the air — 2 good people who had common sense and honesty – somewhat of a rare commodity when dealing with corrupt politicians who sell their positions to corporations who can buy political favors.
We’re sure that the prestage people will ultimately say she was done in by the folks that did in that lack guy in Floyd county.