Phyllis Marie Milligan

Phyllis Marie (Patterson) Milligan, the only child of John and Cora (Kozel) Patterson, was born on January 24, 1925 at the family farm northeast of Haddam, KS. She passed away on May 3, 2014 at the Heritage Care Center in Fairbury, NE. She graduated from Haddam High School in 1942. After completion of a teacher education program she taught in country schools in Washington County, KS and in Barnes, KS.

She married Donald Milligan on November 21, 1945. They resided in Fairbury, NE and had two sons, Gerald Lee (Jerry) and John.

Phyllis worked at the Fairbury Public Schools serving as the school's head cook for a number of years. She also was an instructor at the UNL School Food Service summer program. She continued to be interested in her family's farms until the time of her death.

After her retirement she enjoyed various volunteer activities, and was named one year as Fairbury's Volunteer of the Year. She also enjoyed attending social clubs (Friendly Thursday and Sugar n' Spice), and following her grandchildren's activities. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Fairbury, and an office holder in the Jefferson Country Democratic Women's Club.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a grandson, Zachary Milligan, and a special friend, Lawrence Gill.

She is survived by her sons, Jerry (Mary) Milligan, Scottsdale, AZ; and John (Katherine) Milligan, Lincoln, NE; grandchildren, Joshua Milligan, Megan Milligan, and Margaret Milligan; sister-in-law and husband, Elaine and Robert Kossel; nieces, Kathy Kossel and Kristine (Kossel) Fox; nephews, Robert and Benjamin Kossel; cousin, John Kozel.

Memorial services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Fairbury on May 7th at 10:00, with burial in the Morrowville, KS Cemetery. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury is in charge of the arrangements.