Phyllis Graff

Phyllis Arlene Graff, 93, of Overland Park, KS, died peacefully in her sleep on October 17, 2020. She was surrounded by loved ones. Phyllis was born Phyllis Newell on April 4, 1927, in Des Moines, Iowa to Donald and Leona Newell.

Phyllis graduated from Mason City HIgh School in 1946 and met Russell Graff at a community dance. They married in 1948 in Mason City, Iowa. They moved to Des Moines in 1955 where Russell worked at Standard Oil and Phyllis raised two daughters, Nancy (born 1950) and Debrah (1953-2012).

The Graffs moved to Prairie Village in 1962 where their daughters attended Shawnee Mission East High School and later settled in Overland Park. They were members of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Prairie Village. Phyllis worked several years in the beauty Salon at the Jones Store in Prairie Village.

Russ and Phyllis loved to travel back to their native Iowa as well as take in a show in Branson, Missouri. They loved to spend time with their family and often took their grandchildren with them on their adventures. Phyllis loved arts and crafts, especially knitting and sewing.

Phyllis will be missed by friends and family alike. She is survived by her husband Russell Graff, her daughter Nancy Kruse (Ken) , two grandchildren Michael (Pamela) and Brian and two great-grandchildren, Alberta and Jasper. She was proceeded in death by her daughter, Debrah Utterback (Don) and her brother Don Newell.

She will be missed for her energy, her sense of humor, the joy she brought to life and her wonderful smile.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a memorial for Phyllis will be held at a later time.