Phyllis Jean Walth Shipman, 92, of Laramie passed away December 8, 2017 in Rock Springs. She suffered from dementia.
Phyllis was born November 16, 1925, to George and Martha (Dietz) Walth at their farm home near Fairfax, South Dakota. She was the second of four children.
Phyllis attended Bentz country school through 8th grade, finishing high school in Fairfax. During war time and a shortage of teachers she taught at Pocahontas country school, and later worked at a naval munitions factory in Hastings, Nebraska.
After WWII she married her high school sweetheart, Donald Shipman, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairfax on December 19, 1947. To this union were born two children, Connie and Randy.
Don and Phyllis began their journey in Hanna, Wyoming where she was a housewife, 4-H leader, carried the mail for Union Pacific Railroad mail trains, was Fuller Brush salesman, served the Parent Teachers Association, and Lutheran Ladies Aide. She was a member of Hanna VFW Post 6680 Ladies Auxiliary.
In 1968, Phyllis moved with her husband to Laramie, Wyoming. She was active in Zion Lutheran Church, the Cowbelles, Welcome Wagon, and worked at the University of Wyoming, retiring in 1987 as Supervisory-Manager of the Faculty-Staff dining room.
She traveled throughout Western Europe, Canada, and the U.S.A., until illness overtook her travels in 2011.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don, her daughter Connie Burnside, and her sisters Shirley Pelc and Deloris Eitler.
She is survived by her brother Donald Walth (Phyllis), Scottsbluff, NE; son Randy (Anne-Marie), Rock Springs; son-in-law Mal Burnside, Cheyenne; grandsons Shane Shipman (Jonquil), Grant, MN; Levi Burnside (Danielle), Cheyenne; granddaughters Michelle Babcock (Brock), Lawrence, KS; Sarah Iverson (Derek), Commerce City, CO; Lisa Eyre (Ken), Portland, OR; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place. Services will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 11, 2018 at Zion Lutheran Church, Laramie, Wyoming, with Pastor Darrell Debowey officiating. Inurnment will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 11, 2018 at Greenhill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Randy Shipman at PO Box 1046 Rock Springs, WY 82902.
Randy, I am sorry to hear of your mom's passing. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sorry for my late response. Thank you Randy
She was great lady, New her from the UW. My sympathy to her family.
Thank you Kate, she loved working at UW and enjoyed those she came into contact with. Randy Shipman
I worked with Phyllis for quite a while at Ross Hall on campus, she was a great boss and friend. My thoughts are with you, she will be forever missed.
Julie, Phyllis tried to live by the Golden Rule and had many great stories about her time at UW with fellow employees and faculty. Thank you, Randy Shipman