In Memory of Phyllis I. Tiefenthaler

Phyllis Tiefenthaler, age 81, of Dublin, Ohio (formerly of Odebolt, Iowa) passed away on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at the Sanctuary at Tuttle Crossing of Dublin, Ohio.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 12, 2022, at the St. Martin’s Catholic Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Father Joseph Dillinger will officiate. A Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at the St. Martin’s Catholic Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Committal Services will follow in the St. Martin’s Catholic Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

      Phyllis (Henning) Tiefenthaler was born in Jefferson, Iowa, to Wilber and Hannah Henning. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from Bagley High School at age 16. She earned her Associated Degree from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Phyllis was excited to get her first teaching job in Odebolt, Iowa, where the school was newly built. It was there that she formed a close group of new teachers who later would correspond through Round Robin letters.

      She was introduced to Robert Tiefenthaler at the Cobblestone Ballroom in Storm Lake, Iowa. The two married, bought a house, and started a family in Odebolt. They raised their five sons  (Brent, David, Jeffrey, Thomas, and Ryan) with love, devotion and kindness. Phyllis went on to complete her Bachelor's Degree from Buena Vista College while working full-time and raising small children.

      As an elementary school teacher, Phyllis took great pride in teaching young students to read. She had many hobbies and interests; baking and cooking for her family were her favorites. She also enjoyed reading, playing the piano, volunteer work, and playing cards. She had many lifelong friends, including her Round Robin group, Ingleside, St. Martin's Ladies Guild, the Odebolt American Legion Auxiliary, and numerous card groups. Phyllis loved to entertain and believed that "No meal is complete without dessert". She loved to visit friends and family, and always made efforts to keep in touch.

      Phyllis is survived by sons David (Sarah), Jeffrey (Heather), Thomas (Kimberly) and Ryan (Kimberly); daughter-in-law Stacey; grandchildren Robert, Elizabeth, Noah, Hannah, Grant, Cameron, Tyler, Brody, Griffin, Zoey and Jordan; great-grandchildren Charles, Lucille and Emma. She is also survived by Janette Henning, Roberta Henning, Marylund Henning, Thelma (Darrell) Schroeder, Kathleen (Thomas) Kros, Neal Johnson, and many nieces and nephews.    

      She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Robert Tiefenthaler; son Brent Tiefenthaler; parents Wilber and Hannah Henning; in-laws Herbert and Martha Tiefenthaler; siblings George (Bea, Dodie) Henning, Don (Virginia) Henning, Marvin (Laverne) Henning, Allan (Betty) Henning, Wendell Henning and Ernest Henning; Leonard (Janice) Tiefenthaler, Verna Mae (Donald) Schwaller, and Karen Johnson   

      In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support college scholarships and Girls State. Send your memorial contributions to: The Odebolt American Legion Auxiliary, % Deb Bengford, 320 East 1^st Avenue, Arthur, IA 51431.