Obituary: Phyllis Lura

Phyllis Lura

The matriarch and cornerstone of the Lura family, Phyllis Ramona Lura, passed January 17, 2023, at an epic 102 years of age at Golden Acres Manor, Carrington, N.D.

"I have no recipe [for a successful life] my life wasn't planned, it just happened and I'm glad for it." Summarizing a life so well lived will be nearly impossible but Phyllis loved stories so we owe her a good one.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m., all at Trinity Lutheran Church, Carrington, N.D., with Pastor Rick Loewen officiating. Burial will take place at the Carrington Cemetery.

Phyllis was born September 1, 1920, in New Rockford, N.D., to the loving parents of George and Christine Linderman. She would be the oldest sibling to Dale and Maxine, whose relationship was one of the greatest loves in her life. Education was very important to her parents and it was reflected in Phyllis's life.

She rode to grade school in a two-wheel cart pulled by a Shetland pony and she finished her education as a college graduate from Mayville State Teacher's College in 1940.

Phyllis taught in Birtsell and McClusky. Despite her focus on education, she also had time for dances where she would run into a "good looking" and "nice" man named John Lura. They would date for five years and would marry November 18, 1943. John and Phyllis would welcome seven children: Larry, Philip, Karen, Kevin, Kristy, Mitch and Randy.

She would return to teaching at Esterbrook in 1970 for a challenge . . . and for a new refrigerator, dining table and carpet upstairs. Despite all the hard work, the family has fond memories of summer lake vacations. Johnny and Phyllis were active in Barlow community activities, including parties, dances and plays. She loved home and the farm.

Phyllis loved to garden, paint, quilt and bake. Her homemade buns were the center of any meal. She always had dessert and it always included either chocolate or a fruit from her garden (mostly raspberries picked by grandkids scrambling around with milk jugs strapped to belts around our waists).

Phyllis was an avid reader. She was a lover of stories whether they were found in books or heard from others' voices. She was interested in people and when she talked to you, she made you feel like the most important person in the room. She enjoyed listening more than talking but loved to laugh at her own jokes and one-liners (that she would often save up for the perfect moment).

Phyllis's superpower was creating family. Her already large family was always expanding to include family of in-laws, friends of grandkids, a new member at Stavanger or Kvernes churches, etc. She was steadfast and calm amid the chaos of such a large family, but when startled her screech still resonates in our ears. She was strong and stubborn but also always kind. She was so very proud of her family.

The legacy she left behind lives on through her kids: Larry (Janice) Lura, Philip (Darnell) Lura, Karen (Lenny) Behm, Minot, Kevin (Jane) Lura, Kristy (Larry) Haisley, Bismarck, Mitch (Karla) Lura and Randy (Lori) Lura; grandchildren: Troy (Billie) and Travis (Mindy) Lura, Aaron (PJ), Brock and Tyler (Kari) Lura, Scott (Mandy) Brekhus and Kopper (Aaron) Frick, Shannon (Brett) Poland, Suzanne (Jesse) Johnson, and Kody (Jessie) Lura, Jo (Karl) Spears and Teha (Brett) Bina, Jocelyn (Nic) Hovland, Tanner (Haley) Lura, Kassie (Brock) Fredrickson and Mckayla (Levi) Hagen, and Seth (Jill) Lura, Randi Jo (Marc) VanRay, Jace Lura, and many great and great-great-grandchildren and loved ones.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Anne Carlson Center or Kvernes church would be appreciated or simply spend a quiet moment listening to the birds sing. If you are having a bad day, please take her advice and eat a candy bar and take a bath.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home, Carrington and New Rockford, N.D.