Phyllis Kay Ames, age 80 of rural Meriden, IA, passed away Saturday, August 13, 2022, at the Heartland Care Center in Marcus, IA. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 18, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee. Pastor Don Meyer will officiate. Burial will be at Liberty Township Cemetery, rural Meriden. Public visitation with family present will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday night at the Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Marcus. The Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Marcus is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.
Phyllis Kay Ames, the daughter of Melvin and Alice (Puhrmann) Schmidt, was born on April 9, 1942, in Le Mars, IA. On May 3, 1942, she was baptized at her grandparent’s home. She was confirmed on May 27, 1956 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee. Her childhood years were spent in rural Meriden. She graduated from Meriden High School in 1960. She was the last graduating class from Meriden.
Since the age of 13, Phyllis became known as one of the best cake decorators around. It was a love that she shared with many, teaching them to bake and decorate cakes. This passion lasted over 65 years. The last cake she made was for her granddaughter’s wedding. Phyllis was 78 at the time.
On June 4, 1961, Phyllis was united in marriage to Gaylen Doyle Ames at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee, IA. Following their marriage, Phyllis helped Doyle drive school bus and occasionally truck. During this marriage two boys were born, Jeff and Todd. During a feed delivery to Missouri with Doyle, Phyllis and the boys, a tragic truck accident took the life of Doyle, leaving Phyllis with a broken back, Jeff and Todd with serious injuries. Phyllis and Jeff learned to walk again together 6 weeks after the accident.
Years later Phyllis was married and had her daughter Danae.
After her recovery Phyllis drove school bus full time where she made lifelong friendships with the children she transported. She became known as “The Lady Grinder” and “Ma Flis”.