Phylis (Clark) Brownsberger

Phylis Darlyne (Clark) Brownsberger was born August 3, 1935 and died June 22, 2024 after battling 14 years with Alzheimer's disease. Her last 7 years were spent in the Griswold Rehabilitation Center, in Griswold, Iowa. She was their longest standing member on Hospice. No one knew how she could keep going. She was 5’3” and weighed 76 pounds. All we can say, is she was tough. The personnel in the nursing home, would all say she’s “tiny but mighty.” That nick-name, describes my mother to a tee. She came into life weighing 3lbs 4 ounces. Grandma Clark said she put her in a shoe box to keep her warm. She was strong. She was a baker for the Atlantic Nursing home and the Anita Schools. Can you imagine her tiny little arms, picking up those large bags of flour and sugar every day to make the rolls. The school mixer was so big, it sat on the floor. After baking and cooking all day at school, she came home to do the same for her family.

Mom was quiet. She liked listening more than talking. She loved reading. We're sure the Anita Library misses her. After her retirement and her children and grandchildren moved away, she would come home with stacks of books every week. She was elated! Nothing beat a good book, a warm blanket, and a comfy recliner.

After Dad retired, they would go to Florida and stay with her sister and brother-in-law for a few weeks a year. They really enjoyed their time with Aunt Jane and Uncle Bill. They would go to the beaches and pick up sea shells. They watched the seagulls and the pelicans. Nothing fancy, just relaxing and great conversations.

Mom loved Dad, her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren to the moon and back. She enjoyed reading, gardening, and cooking. With the exception of a couple of years, she lived her entire life in Atlantic and Anita, Iowa. She was the youngest of 3 children. She graduated from Atlantic High School in 1954 and married Fredric Henry Brownsberger, October 20, 1956. Her first full time job was working at BlueStar in Atlantic, Iowa. After marrying, she took a job at the Atlantic Nursing home as a cook. In 1972, she accepted a position as a cook for the Anita High School and after 30 years, she retired as a cook for the Anita Elementary school. She would help with the cooking for the Anita Steak frys. She and Betty Wahlert could work seamlessly together. They each knew their roles and just went to work. They never seemed overwhelmed while peeling all those potatoes or peeling all those eggs for the Anita steak frys. They knew what they had to do and just got the job done. She loved playing bingo and she enjoyed helping at with bingo at the Legion Hall in Anita.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, Fredric (Fritz) Henry Brownsberger, her parents, Murl (Budd) Clark, and Pearl L (Keeran) Clark. Her brother James (Jim) Clark, his wife MaryLou (Rhodes) Clark, her sister Jane (Clark) Whithey and her husband William (Bill) Whithey.

She is survived by her children: Teresa Nelson, Danette (Dennis) Sanders, Ann (Richard) Bryen and Steven (Cindy) Brownsberger; 15 Grandchildren, 24 Great Grandchildren and 2 Great-Great Grandchildren.

Mom’s most favorite thing to do was baking, and we feel it we would be amiss if we did not share her Cinnamon roll recipe with all of you. If you should happen to make these, we hope you think of our mother.

Carmel Cinnamon Rolls (Bread Machine)

1 egg1 tsp. salt

1 cup milk3 1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup sugarScant T. yeast or 1 pkg yeast

1/4 cup soft butter (or slice if cold)

Combine & set aside 3/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoons cinnamon.

Carmel Sauce: in saucepan melt:

1/4 cup butter3/4 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup syrup

Bring to boil. Let simmer about 1 minute. Pour into 9X12 inch baking pan.

Set machine to dough setting. Put in ingredients in order given. When raised, pour onto work area. Knead 6-8 times, let rest 5 minutes. Roll to about 12X15 inches. Pat on soft butter. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon mixture. Roll jellyroll fashion. Cut into 12 equal parts. Place in 9X12 inch pan of carmel sauce. Cover with soft cloth. Let rise in warm place 30-40 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

If you leave the last long side of dough without butter or cinnamon & sugar, the last 1 1/2 inch or so, your ends will stay tight to rolls.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Anita with Father Brad Robey as Celebrant. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita. A luncheon will be held at the church following the burial.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of service on Friday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Mary's Catholic Church.

The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Anita is caring for the Brownsberger family at this time.