Phyllis LaVonne Bohaty

Phyllis LaVonne Saltness Twite Bohaty Phyllis was born May 13, 1931 in Chasley, North Dakota to Ray and Alette (Nyvold) Saltness. Shortly after, her family moved to Dawson, Minnesota where she was raised and the graduated from high school in 1949. She attended the Bethesda Hospital School of Nursing in St. Paul, graduating with her diploma in nursing in 1952. Phyllis worked as a Registered Nurse at Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, and as a school nurse for the St. Paul School District. She retired in 1997 after a 25 year career as a Registered Nurse with the Lakes & Pines Head Start Program in Mora, Minnesota. Phyllis married Gaylord Twite in December, 1951. They had two children, Susan and Michael. June 18, 1969 Phyllis and Jim Bohaty were married at Fort Snelling Chapel in Minneapolis. They lived in Willow River, Minnesota until 1973, when they settled in Rush City Minnesota and operated Bohaty Hardware until Jim retired in 2006. Phyllis was very active in the community as a social activist. She was a member of many groups including the Rush City High School Band Boosters, Spaghetti Days, Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Auxiliary, Swimming Pool Committee, Prison Community Advisory Board, and the Shorewood Park Homeowner’s Association. In 2000, Phyllis and Jim were honored by being selected as the Rush City Chamber of Commerce “Community Service Award Recipients”. She was also an active member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rush City, serving on the Church Council and other groups within the congregation. Phyllis volunteered with the local blood bank and was an election judge in Nessel township. Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Alette Saltness. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Jim, children Susan Twite of Virginia, Minnesota, Michael (Patricia) Twite of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, granddaughters Krista and Julia Ramberg, Katherine, Megan, and Michelle Twite, sister Patricia Saltness and brother Richard Saltness of Dawson, Minnesota, sister-in-law Gloria Bohaty of Willow River, Minnesota, nieces, a nephew, numerous cousins, and many, many, many close friends. We grieve her loss and celebrate the memories and contributions she leaves with us. Phyllis died peacefully at home thursday afternoon at the age of 77 years, 10 months and 26 days. Rev. Laurie O’Shea officiated at a memorial service for Phyllis; 10:30 a.m. Thursday 4/16/09 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Rush City with a time of visitation Wednesday evening from 5-8 p.m. at the Olson Chapel in Rush City, MN. The inurnment took place immediately following the service at the First Lutheran Cemetery in Rush City. Memorials are preferred to the First Ev. Lutheran Church Building Fund in lieu of flowers.