Phyllis Marie Kline

     Phyllis Marie (Buttler) Kline, the daughter of Kenneth Buttler and Marjorie Rumelhart was born October 22, 1934, at her parents’ home in Fansler, Iowa and died January 21, 2024 in Harlan, Iowa at the age of 89 years, 2 months, and 30 days.

     Phyllis was baptized at the Exira Christian Church. She attended the Exira Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1953. While in high school, her activities included: Journalism, F.H.A., Annual staff, Mixed Chorus, Girls Glee, Pep Club, Basketball, and in the school’s drama productions, having the lead role in the play her junior year. Also during those years she was a member of the Order of the Rainbow for Girls. In the fall of 1953, Phyllis attended Iowa State University and was a member of Tri Delta Sorority.

     On April 3, 1954, Phyllis married her high school sweetheart, Charles “Chuck “ Leroy Kline at the Exira Christian Church. They lived in San Diego and Camp Pendleton, California for two years while Chuck was serving in the USMC. After his discharge, they moved to Cedar Falls, Iowa where both attended Iowa State Teachers College (now known as the University of Northern Iowa) where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Vocational Homemaking in 1960. Chuck and Phyllis were blessed with three children: Ann Marie, Charles Van, and David Michael. Chuck’s teaching job took them to the communities of La Porte City, Bayard, Marengo, and Harlan. In 1968, Chuck and Phyllis built their first new home and settled their family in Harlan permanently. It was here in Harlan that Phyllis joined the teaching staff. She taught 6th grade and 4th grade for a combination of 27 years before retiring in 1995.

     Phyllis was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Harlan, a member of Hannah Circle church group, the Order of Eastern Star, the Harlan Literary Club, member of the educational society Delta Kappa Gamma, former member of Iowa State Education Association, and National Education Association. Phyllis loved raising her family and being around the house. She was an avid reader and could be found many days at the Harlan Public Library. When time allowed, she enjoyed playing cards–in particular, Bridge. You could find her playing with a couple different Bridge groups in Harlan–often at a friend’s house or the Harlan Country Club.

     Preceding her in death was her husband of 68 years, Charles “Chuck” Leroy Kline; her parents; her brother Kenneth Hugh and his wife Arliss Buttler; and her nieces and nephews: Trudy Patterson, Tim Wilson, Stacey Esbeck, Sheri Rush, LeAnn Lester, and Greg Kline.

     Survivors include her children: Ann Marie and husband Randy Doran of Harlan, Charles “Chaz” Van and wife Jean Kline of Omaha and David and wife Deborah Kline of Omaha; her grandchildren: Randy Doran II of Spearfish, SD, Katelynn Doran of West Des Moines, and Ryan Doran of Joplin, Missouri, Samuel and Lindsay Kline of Des Moines, Michael Kracher and Jacob Kline of Omaha, Ashley MacCrander, David Kline II, Alexis Kline, Dawson Kline, Ava Kline, and Drew Kline all of Omaha, Great-grandson David Kline III; her siblings: Judy (Bob) Shipley of Ogden UT, Bill (Sherry) Buttler of Guthrie Center, Kathy (John) Coons, Jerry (Beth) Buttler, Tom Buttler, and Mary Buttler all of Panora, and in-laws: Beverly Olsen of Exira, Jerry (Eloyce) Kline of Griswold, Gary (Barb) Kline of Bismarck, ND, and Connie (Glenn) Esbeck of Exira, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.