Phyllis Morrill

Phyllis Morrill, 100, of Fergus Falls, died Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls under the care of Vivie Hospice.

Phyllis Ardella Fabian was born on the Fabian family farm in Western Township Otter Tail County, MN on July 29, 1924. Her parents were (Frederick) Walter and Ella (Strommen) Fabian. She attended rural school District 49 and graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1942. She graduated from Teacher's Training course in Fergus Falls in 1943 and taught briefly in rural school District 252.

She married Gerald Hauger on November 6, 1943. They moved to Minneapolis following his tour of duty as a Captain on a B-24 in Europe during World War II and his discharge from the Army Air Corps in 1945. They were parents of identical twin sons, Daryl and Dayle, sons, Terry, Jeffrey, and Philip, and daughter, Pauline.

In December 1951, they moved to Rothsay, Minnesota where Gerald owned an insurance agency and was a rural mail carrier and Phyllis was a housewife. They traveled to Germany, Norway, Alaska, Canada, Portland, Oregon, and several other states. Gerald died quite suddenly on November 28, 1991.

Phyllis traveled with a church group to the Holy Land and to New York City and several other points of interest in the United States on bus tours.

On May 14, 1994, Phyllis and long-time family friend, Arnold Shirley were married in Rothsay and they continued to live there where he owned Shirley's Service Station. They traveled to Europe for the fiftieth anniversary of D Day and retraced Arnold's tour of duty in the Army from England to Berlin in World War II; went to Norway, Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, and many other points of interest on a Christian Dental mission to Jamaica in 2007. She and Arnold moved to Fergus Falls on May 1, 2008 when he retired. He died on June 6, 2010.

Phyllis and Stanley Morrill became reacquainted at their High School class of 1942 reunion and were married on July 7, 2012 and lived in Fergus Falls. They traveled quite extensively in the United States, Canada, and Alaska on business for Stanley's Masonic volunteer work and for pleasure.

She was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, which is now New Life Lutheran Church in Rothsay and taught Sunday School, held various offices including President of Ladies Aid, and was active in Community affairs in Rothsay. She was a Cub Scout Leader, Campfire Girls Leader, held various offices including President, in the American Legion Auxiliary, Cobber Friends, GFWC Agassiz Study Club, Homemakers, 2nd Armored Division Auxiliary, Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties Historical Societies, Heimskringla Lodge #12, Sons of Norway, VFW Auxiliary, Rothsay Senior Citizens, and Masons. She was a News Correspondent for the Pelican Rapids Press and Rothsay Regional Report from Barnesville from 1967 to 2008. She also wrote articles for the Fergus Falls Daily Journal and Breckenridge Daily News for a time. She wrote in her five-year diary every day since she started at age 13.

Phyllis is survived by four sons, Daryl (Donna) Hauger of Minneapolis, MN, Terry (Connie) Hauger of Oro Valley, AZ, Jeffrey (Lauren) Hauger of Hubbard, Philip (Cynthia) Hauger of Prior Lake, and one daughter, Pauline Rinke of Dilworth; daughter-in-law, Marlyce Hauger of Urbandale, IA; step-children, Allan (Sara) Shirley of Vergas, Leslie (Norma) Shirley of Fergus Falls, Jeffrey Shirley, Earl Morrill and Diane Morrill both of Grand Forks, ND, Craig (Martha) Morrill of Bloomington; sixteen grandchildren and nine step-grandchildren; beloved great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husbands, Gerald Hauger, Arnold Shirley, and Stanley Morrill; son, Dayle Hauger; daughter-in-law, Susan Hauger; son-in-law, Tim Rinke; granddaughter, Heidie Hauger; grandson, Logan Rinke; sister, Virginia Herrington; brothers-in-law, Wilbur Herrington and Herb Wilkerson.

Memorial Service: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, June 1, 2025 at New Life Lutheran Church in Rothsay, with visitation one-hour prior to the service at the church.

Clergy: Reverend Randy Whitehead

Interment: Our Saviors Lutheran Cemetery, Rothsay, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com