Phyllis Wininger

September 15, 2022

Phyllis Wininger

Service Details

Phyllis Naomi Horras McCarty Wininger danced her way over The Rainbow Bridge on September 15, 2022, to join loved ones who preceded her for everlasting Eternity.

Phyllis was born June 25, 1930, in the NE upstairs bedroom of her grandparent’s farmhouse that they built from the lumber on their land. That room was later turned into Grandma Linnencamp’s sewing room with a big bay window to display her prized African Violets and other special flowers.

Phyllis was the oldest child of John and Grace Horras, raised on the farm near Sigourney, Iowa. She attended a one-room school for five years, across the road from their first farm home. The young teacher rode her horse two miles to and from school every day, winter and summer. Her Dad would go over every winter night to fill the one big stove in the middle of the room with coal so the fire wouldn’t be out in the morning when the teacher arrived. Phyllis graduated from grade school and high school, and attended church at Saint Elizabeth’s Church in Harper, Iowa. After graduating from business college, she enjoyed working as an executive secretary at The Motor Club of Iowa. After marriage, she welcomed three beautiful baby girls into her busy world. It was good that she learned how to work and multitask.

Her passion was ballroom dancing with the Waltz and Swing her favorites. This led to her being a Ballroom Hostess at the beautiful Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines, Iowa. Another passion was authentic, good country music with fiddles, steel guitars, and piano, that led to her managing The Parkfair Record Shop for 17 years. We had a lot of good old country music fans!

A major concern to her was animal and domestic abuse and cruelty, as she supported stiff penalties for those offenders. She volunteered at the ARL for several years.

Phyllis survived and recovered from a debilitating stroke in 2014. She was miraculously and magically reunited with her high school sweetheart after 66 years. At the twilight of their lives, God’s miracle was wholeheartedly approved by both families and friends.

She said her greatest accomplishment was the difference she made in raising her three daughters Kathie, Linda and Jill, each with their own admirable accomplishments, personalities and talents. Their character and strength stand as a legacy to their mother.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Mae Weller of Washington, Iowa; her brother, Dean Horras of Sigourney; son-in-law, Mike Bingaman; and several grand doggies and kitties.

She is survived by her three daughters, Kathie Bingaman, Linda Farr (Bob), and Jill McCarty; granddaughters, Michelle Dooley (Dan) and Nikki Barkhaus (Troy); great-grandchildren, Tyler Phares (Angie), Bailey Swearngin (Bryce), Brandon Phares, Whitney Herr, Mason and Dyce Barkhaus; great-great-grandchildren, Lincoln Phares, Jameson Giles, Emery and Olivia Swearngin; nephews, Mike and Steve Weller; her beloved “Bonus” family, Angela Rubino, Jason Dennis, and Chris, Shelly, Kaci and Ryan Doubleday.

Following her wishes, Phyllis was cremated. There will be a celebration of her life at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 25, 2022, at Prairie Vista Village in their chapel (2785 First Avenue South, Altoona, Iowa 50009), followed by a reception. Her favorite colors were red, blue, and red, white and blue. Although not necessary, she would be happy if you wore those colors in her honor.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Suncrest Hospice in Des Moines, Iowa; Animal Lifeline of Iowa or another no-kill animal shelter.

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