In Memory of Edna Mae Phillips

Edna Mae Phillips, age 84, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, January 7, 2021, at her residence of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Private Family Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 15, 2021, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Father Richard D. Ball will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with no family present, Thursday, January 14, 2021, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Governor’s proclamation, masks are mandatory and social distancing rules apply. The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Edna Mae Phillips of rural Ida Grove, IA, passed away in her home at the age of 84 with family by her side on January 7, 2021, as a result of a long, courageous battle with cancer.  Edna, the daughter of Raymond and Edna (Hamann) Bumann, was born November 1, 1936, at the Hartley Memorial Hospital in Battle Creek, IA. She grew up on a farm south of Ida Grove, was a student at Grant #5 Country School until 8th grade and graduated from Ida Grove High School in 1955. The country school is now located at Moorhead Park. 

While growing up Edna was a member of the Grant Girls 4-H Club for nine years. She held numerous positions as an officer, was a 4-H County Council President, exhibited and gave presentations at the Iowa State Fair, sang on the radio, and modeled sportswear. Edna was a member of the Schleswig Calf Club and had a great love for country life and animals, especially horses.

In high school she participated in chorus and small group, was a cheerleader for girls/boys basketball and football, a member of the Thespians, and was one of the top six homecoming attendants her senior year. High school is where she met the love of her life, Thomas J. Phillips.

In 1955 Edna and Tom were united in marriage and this union was blessed with 14 children. They resided in Holstein, IA, for several years before moving in 1964 to their present family farm south of Ida Grove.

Edna was an active member of Sacred Heart Parish in Ida Grove where she taught CCD classes for 13 years and was a member of the Rosary Society. She served as a lector, a eucharistic minister, and an usher. In the past she was an active member of the athletic and music boosters, a member of the Horn Hospital Auxiliary where she served on the membership committee for seven years, a member of the Ida County Historical Society, and a charter member and officer of the Ida County Porkettes.

Edna worked as a produce and deli manager for 14 years beginning in 1983 for John’s Super Value, Joyce’s Foodland, and then Food Pride.

In the early 90’s Edna participated in the Iowa State Chili Cook Off and placed 2^nd in the People’s Choice category. She made a pork chili and was sponsored by the Ida County Pork Producers. On the same weekend, she also was a member of the St. Patrick’s Sinking Blarney Stones in a Dragonboat Race on the Muddy Mississippi River in Burlington, IA. She was the drummer that beat the cadence for the paddlers to stay in sync.

Edna loved reading, cooking, gardening, hiking, traveling, playing cards, animals, antiquing, history and historical collectibles. Tom and Edna belonged to several card clubs, one of them they enjoyed for over 55 years. Edna loved to dance and in the 70’s Edna and Tom joined a square dance club. Even with all her hobbies, she was most happy when she had her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren around her.

After retirement, at the age of 80 and the year of Edna and Tom’s 60^th wedding anniversary, she was approached by a producer from New York City about taking part in a country cooking show called “My Grandmother’s Ravioli”. The name of her hour-long segment was called “If I Cook It, He Will Come” hosted by Mo Rocca. She was a natural in front of the camera and on occasion would be noticed by someone who had watched the show.

Edna was preceded in death by grandson Austin Krager; granddaughter Melissa Simmons; great-grandson Joseph Behrendsen; brothers Earl Bumann, Alvin Bumann, Edward Bumann, Ray Jr. Bumann; and sister Delores (Bumann) Linn; brothers-in-law:James Fleenor, Del Linn, Ed Skinner, and Richard Messer. 

Edna is survived by her loving husband of 65 years Tom Phillips of Ida Grove, IA; 9 sons and 5 daughters: Teresa (Dan) Koch of Council Bluffs, IA, Tim (Julie) Phillips of Ida Grove, IA, Shari (Scott) Simmons of Danbury, IA, Lori (Mark) Arkfeld of Defiance, IA, Tom Phillips Jr. of Ida Grove, IA, Alan (Lisa) Phillips of Leavenworth, KS, Curt (Kristal) Phillips of Holstein, IA, Christine (Keith) Krager of Ida Grove, IA, Patrick (Kriss) Phillips of Ida Grove, IA, Steve (Lori) Phillips of Ida Grove, IA, Mary (Doug) Clough of Ida Grove, IA, Craig (Stacy) Phillips of Sioux City, IA, John (Kristy) Phillips of North Liberty, IA and Andrew (Nikki) Phillips of Brooklyn, IA. She also leaves 44 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; sisters Mildred Fleenor, Lois Skinner, Carol Clausen and Jeannette Messer; brother Roger Bumann; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.