Service of Remembrance for Phyllis Tommerson, 91, of Hettinger, ND will be Thursday, February 8, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hettinger Lutheran Church. Rev. Kathleen Dettmann will officiate and burial will follow at the Hettinger Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 7 at the Centennial Chapel of Evanson Jensen Funeral Homes in Hettinger.

Phyllis June Tommerson was born to Mabel and Haakon Fretheim on June 10, 1926 in Hettinger, ND. She was a loving and caring daughter and best friends with her big sister, Blanche. The sisters absolutely adored each other, though Blanche was initially unsure of this new baby. Phyllis graduated from Hettinger High School in 1944. On March 3, 1946, Phyllis married the love of her life, Norman Tommerson. They had three children together, Timothy, Barbara and David. Phyllis' greatest pride in life was being a wife and mother. The family spent many vacations camping in Spearfish, SD. Every Sunday the Tommerson family could be found at the Hettinger Lutheran Church. Phyllis was an active member of the church, teaching Sunday school when the kids were little and acting as part of the altar committee for many years. Phyllis and Norman enjoyed going out dancing to Big Band music, even dancing in their living room. She loved the Fourth of July parade every year; she never missed one!

Phyllis took such pride in caring for her family and their home. Her home was always neat and orderly, and she thoroughly enjoyed entertaining for holidays or just having coffee and conversation with her friends. Another way she enjoyed spending time with friends was over an afternoon game of Rummikub; she always made time for her friends throughout her entire life. Her favorite hobby was working in her flower garden. She always made sure her grass was green and her flowers were bright. When Phyllis' children had children of their own, she took the same pride in being a grandmother and that same pride carried to being a great-grandmother, too. Phyllis loved spending time with her grandchildren. She loved baking for them and doing their hair. Phyllis always made sure she presented herself well. She even won best dressed in high school.


Phyllis passed away on February 2, 2018 at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, ND. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, her parents, and many other family members and friends. Surviving children are Timothy and (Roberta) Tommerson, Barbara and (Peter) Korang, David Tommerson, her four grandchildren, Evonne and (Steven) Provinzino, Stephanie and (Leonardo) Garcia, Sarah and (Chris) Urzua, Joseph and (Julie) Korang, and her five great-grandchildren, Abby and Drew Provinzino, Johanna Korang, Halle Osmon and Rylan Urzua.