Phyllis Marie (Taenzler) Harold

Visitation: Wednesday, January 17, 2024, 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M., Peterson Mortuary, 212 S. Locust Street, Glenwood, Iowa.

Services: Wednesday, January 17, 2024, 2:00 P.M., Peterson Mortuary, 212 S. Locust Street, Glenwood, Iowa.

Our beloved Phyllis Marie Taenzler Harold peacefully passed away with her husband, Richard, by her side on the evening of January 10, 2024.  She has left behind loving husband, sisters, daughter, son, grandson, son-in-law, nieces and nephews, who will miss her very much. She always had a kind word to say and caring smiling face to all she met. She was residing with her husband at a nursing home in Council Bluffs at the time of her passing. 

Phyllis was born at her grandparents’ home Bertha Detlef (John) Herr in Glenwood, Iowa.  She was the first child born to Reverend Jacob Warren and Mary Wilhelmina Herr Taenzler.  She was the oldest of eight children born to the Rev. and Mrs. J. W. Taenzler.

She was raised and attended school in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, before moving back to Glenwood, Iowa in her late teen years.  She attended nursing school for two years and worked at Bell Telephone Company in Glenwood doing office accounts.  She met Richard Marvin Harold through her Aunt Margaret Colwell at church, asking him to sing a solo for Father’s Day in 1948.  He practiced his solo with Phyllis’ sister Pat accompanying him on the piano at the church parsonage and Taenzler’s home every day that coming week.  He sang “In My Father’s House Are Many Mansions” on Father’s Day.  From that time on, they became inseparable.  She decided to quit nursing school and enrolled with Richard in the Fall 1948 to go to the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, for one year of college. They were married on September 17, 1949 in Glenwood at the First Christian Church where her father Rev. J. W. Taenzler preached and officiated over their wedding.  They returned to college for Richard to finish and their daughter Sharon was born there.

When Richard finished college, he was hired at Sears, Roebuck & Company, first in Waterloo, Iowa then moved to suburbs of Chicago, Illinois to continue to work for Sears.  They lived there for around 35 years until retiring and moving back to Glenwood, Iowa area for the remainder of their lives.  For many years, they wintered in Mesa, Arizona as well as traveled in their Airstream with the Wally Byam Caravan Club International, doing trips all around the US and Canada with the Airstream club. 

Phyllis was a mother and homemaker.  She also took on duties at the First Christian Church in Arlington Heights as an elder, member of the CWF, taught Sunday school and performed treasurer duties for a few years.  She also was the Communicator for Valle del Oro Chapel Service in that senior RV park in Mesa, Arizona, as well as worked on their various talent shows at the RV park.

Her children are daughter, Sharon Harold Tadrowski (Roy) Niswonger of Crossville, Tennessee and son Richard Marvin Harold II of Oviedo, Florida along with one grandson, Richard Marvin Harold III of Oviedo, Florida.

Phyllis is survived by her husband Richard Marvin Harold, sister Margaret (Don) Hart of Atlantic, Iowa and sister Julie (Ron) Schneckloth of Omaha, Nebraska; sister-in laws Barbara Taenzler and Clara Harold of Glenwood, Iowa along with many nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents Rev. J. W. and Mary Taenzler, brothers: Jake Taenzler and Robert (Karen) Taenzler; sisters Pat (Dick) Lipsett, Betty Smith, and Mary (Herman) Potts; son-in-law Will Tadrowski; daughter-in-law Kem Harold; brothers-in-law Jake Taenzler and Lloyd Harold.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Phyllis M. Harold’s name to The Alzheimer’s Association, 24/7 Helpline (800) 272-3900.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at Midlands Living Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, for their care and compassion.

Interment, Glenwood Cemetery, Glenwood, Iowa.