Phyllis M. (Knutson) Erickson, age 74, of Glenwood, MN, died Thursday, February 25, 2016, at Glenwood Retirement Village with family at her side after a courageous battle with Autoimmune Hepatitis. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, March 4 ^th , at Glenwood Lutheran Church, with Rev. Bonnie Lomen and Rev. Randy Chrissis officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. on Thursday at the funeral home in Glenwood and will continue at the church on Friday, one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Barsness Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

Phyllis Marie Erickson was born on June 5, 1941, to the union of Tillman and Esther (Thostenson) Knutson of rural Brooten. She was born a twin and said that was one of the best things that happened to her.  Phyllis attended a one-room country school, graduated from Brooten High School in 1958, and attended Lutheran Bible Institute before working in a variety of jobs in the Twin Cities . On August 4, 1962, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Dennis Erickson, at Big Grove Lutheran Church. They lived in Norfolk, Virginia, where Dennis served in the Navy, and their oldest daughter, Shari, was born. For several years they lived in Bloomington, MN, where Phyllis enjoyed working at Northwest Airlines and developed a love for travel. They purchased a farm in Barsness Township, south of Glenwood, in 1969 where she lived until Dennis' death. Phyllis was full of energy and worked hard on the family's dairy farm. Among her responsibilities was maintaining the financial records and detailed records of the dairy herd.

Phyllis was best known for her kind, caring personality. She enjoyed people and could carry on a conversation with anyone. She was a member of Barsness Lutheran Church, contributing to Sunday school, the church library, church choir, Ladies Aide and social functions.  She had a very strong Christian faith and felt that was one of the most important things in life. Phyllis was active in many organizations and activities including 4-H, Sons of Norway, Norwegian Hallinglags, Bible Babes, the Pope County Museum, MCCL, and Potpourri Study Club.  She documented family life by maintaining photo albums and she enjoyed genealogy and gardening. Over the years, Phyllis and Dennis traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe.  Hawaii was one of her favorites.

Phyllis is survived by her children, Shari (Mark) Petersen, of Farwell, Troy (Darla) Erickson of Glenwood, and Ryan (Becky) Erickson of West Fargo, ND; 11 grandchildren, Tara, Trent, Cassidy and Mallory Petersen, Thorin, Alyssa, Brennen, and Brianna Erickson, and Aiden, Adyson, and Baya Erickson; a twin sister, Faye Kjos, and sisters Elaine Knutson (Howard Thompson) and Carol Knutson; 4 sisters-in-law, Margaret Kleinhans, Beatrice Krussow, June (Dan) Levandowski, and Bonnie Erickson; 3 brothers-in-law, Harvey, Don (Eloise), and Mike (Mary) Erickson; and many nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Erickson in 2013; an infant son, Trent; her parents, Esther and Tillman Knutson; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mildred and Newman Erickson; brothers-in-law, Fred Kjos, Robert and Vernon Erickson, Jack Kleinhans and Don Krussow; a sister-in-law, Carol Erickson; and a niece Lydi Erickson.