Phyllis Jeanne Montague

Phyllis Montague of Pine City passed away Friday, March 8, 2019 at Northern Pines Assisted Living in Pine City at the age of 87.

Phyllis Jeanne Finger was born February 27, 1932 to Augustine and Hildagard (Butler) Finger in Chengwatana township on a farm east of Beroun in Pine County, Minnesota.  Phyllis attended District 25 Shady Oak Grade School and then Hinckley High School, where she graduated valedictorian of her class.  She worked as a secretary for the Superintendent of Schools in Hinckley after graduating.  Phyllis married Marvin Montague from South Dakota on July 1, 1950 and were blessed with four children.  They lived on the same farm east of Beroun for 50 years.

Phyllis enjoyed gardening, house plants, crafts of all kinds, Scrabble, crossword puzzles, table games, painting, sewing, crocheting, quilting, reading, feeding the birds, and collecting refrigerator magnets.  Her all time favorite magnet was "If I had known grandchildren were so wonderful, I would have had them first!"  She dearly loved children, all children.  She devoted much of her life working with children and was second mom to many neighbor kids.  She was dedicated to teaching Sunday School for more than 30 years as well as Vacation Bible School.  She served as a 4-H leader for many years.  Phyllis was a member of Hustletown Community Church of rural Pine City for more than 50 years.  She served on the Hustletown Union Cemetery board for several years.

Phyllis and Marvin celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2000.  They moved into Pine City in December of that year before Marvin passed away in February 2001.

Phyllis is survived by her children: Daniel (Barb) Montague of Elk River, Loren (Becky) Montague of Pine City, Sara (Rolf) Biernath of Wyoming, Kurt (Jeannie) Montague of Mount Sterling, KY.; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and two more on the way; brother Eldon (Gerry) Finger of Watertown, WI.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Marvin; sisters Marie Soukup and Lois Anderson; grandchildren Eric and Chelsea.

Pastor Bruce Thompson will officiate at funeral services for Phyllis: 3 PM; Wednesday (3/13/19) with a time of visitation and reviewal planned from 5-7 PM; Tuesday (3/12/19) all at the Swanson Funeral Chapel in Pine City.  The interment will take place in Hustletown Union Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City~Swanson Chapel. www.FuneralAndCremationService.com