Phyllis Jean (Maifield) Gronberg was born July 10, 1931 in Hershey, Nebraska, a daughter of Clell and Neva Crosby. At age seven she was baptized in Greene Methodist Church. She was confirmed in the Greene Lutheran Church and graduated from high school in 1949. She attended the University of Northern Iowa for one year and taught school for five years.
In 1951 Phyllis married Don Maifield and to this union three children were born: Brian Kirk, Sheila Kay and Andrea Lynn. When the girls were six and nine, she returned to UNI where she earned a Bachelor of Music Degree and taught in the Mason City School system for 23 years. From 1968 until 2013 she played the organ and piano for the New Hope United Methodist Church services. There was a sense of pride to direct and play for the church Praise Team as well as sending greeting cards, spending time with family, baby sitting and attending their school events. She enjoyed entertaining in their home. Some of her fun times were reading and traveling. It was a joy for her to be one of three ladies who wrote and successfully secured funds for the Dumont Library addition. She belonged to Pathfinders Sunday School class, was chairperson for Women’s Connection in Parkersburg, was a member of the United Methodist Women, Friends of the Library, Arts and Crafts Club, Red Hat Ladies, Gideons, secretary for Legion Auxiliary, Hospice volunteer and a Steves Ministry volunteer. She was a guest of Walk to Emmaus and served another year.
In 1991 her husband, Donnie, passed away. Four years later she married Charles Gronberg. They moved to Hillsboro to be closer to their daughters, family and cousins. She often remarked about the good fortune this extended family was as well as their new church family. Attending weekly church services at Village Baptist church, and two weekly Bible Studies were very important to her. Sunday School was a great learning tool, and the warm fellowship was a blessing. In the months prior to Chuck’s passing, they attended Chehalem Baptist Church.
Phyllis is survived by her daughters: Sheila (Mark) Meserschmidt, Aloha, OR; Andrea (Stellan) Zdrantan, Sherwood, OR; sister: Karen (Dick) Harville, Thomaston, GA; Chuck’s daughter: Chris (Greg) Thomas, Midlothian, TX; grandchildren: Jillian (Jared) Combs; Colin Groenveld; Julian Zdrantan; Lexi Zdrantan; Andrew Gronberg; Samatha Hernandez; Matt Henning; Katrina Henning and many great grandchildren.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husbands Donnie Maifield and Chuck Gronberg; son Brian; parents Clell and Neva Crosby; Godmother Maxine Sowers and Chuck’s son Jon Gronberg.
Phyllis passed away November 3, 2023. Memorial services were held at Chehalem Valley Church in Oregon. She was laid to rest at Dumont Cemetery, Dumont, Iowa. Remembrance donations are encouraged to the charity of your choice.
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