Phyllis Elizabeth Hajek was born on October 11, 1927 to Lawrence and Virgie (Craig) McDaniel at Spencer, South Dakota in the home of her grandparents, Robert and Ida Craig. She grew up on a farm northwest of Philip and attended Old Trail School. She graduated from Philip High School as Valedictorian of her class in May of 1945. After graduation she worked for Northwestern Bell as a telephone operator and as a waitress at the B & M Cafe until the spring of 1947.
Phyllis was united in marriage to Joseph Hajek on October 26, 1946, at Baker, Montana. To this union were born three daughters, Nancy, Phillis, and Josephine. They returned to Philip after working on road construction with the Merle Clark construction company in 1948 where they purchased the Mobil Station and later the Sinclair Station where she was the bookkeeper. They were later involved in the trucking business.
She worked as a clerk for Reckling Furniture for one year and in 1959-1965 worked for Selective Service part-time while working for the County Agent and later, Fred Hendrickson Law Firm.
In 1969, she started working full time at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital as a bookkeeper until May 1974 at which time she started working as the Business Manager for the Haakon School District. She retired in October 1995 after 21 years of service.
She was a member of the United Church, Philip Woman’s Club, United Church Women, American Legion Auxiliary, Bad River Senior Citizens Center, Community Betterment, Member of the Hospital Auxiliary, and served on the Haakon County Library Board.
Survivors include her daughters, Nancy Stovall of Panama City Beach, FL; Phillis Neal of San Antonio, TX; Josephine Hajek of Minneapolis, MN; five grandchildren: Christopher (Carrie) Stovall, Shilo (Jamie) Nelson, Troy (Wendy) Neal, and Rio and Raquel Hajek; eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; three sisters, Evelyn Kjerstad of Rapid City, Barbara (Larry) Byrne of Sundance, Wyoming, and Dorothy Fortune of Quinn; one brother, Robert McDaniel of Philip; a special sister-in-law Emily Kroetch of Philip; and a host of other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph on October 22, 1987; her parents; a son-in-law J.P. Stovall; two sisters Eileen Baye and Gladys Wilson; and six brothers, Howard, Fred, Frances, Harold, Kenneth, and George.
Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 20, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip.
Graveside services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 21, at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 21, at the United Church in Philip, with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.
A memorial has been established.
Guest Book
So sorry for your loss. My first memory of Phyllis was a 4-H meeting at your house where we melted LP records over a bowl in the oven to make a snack bowl! She was always there when we were in Philip. Our prayers are with you at this sad time.
~ Gayle Matz
Brookings SD (12/20/2016)
I am so sorry for your loss. Phyllis was my moms roommate (Nancy Brown) for a while and she was always so sweet to me and mom. She will be greatly missed.
~ Christy Park
Philip (12/17/2016)
So sorry for the loss of your Mom. Enjoyed the visits with her. Remember the good times and always keep them in your heart.
~ Jim and Vonnie O'Dea
Howes, SD (12/19/2016)
Our sincere sympathy. Phyllis was a wonderful friend and person and I enjoyed many good conversations with her. She met life as it came and did it with grace. God gained an angel. Holding you in prayer
~ Betty and Sonny LaBeau
Philip SD (12/19/2016)
Phyllis was such a great lady and I'm proud to have called her friend. God bless all of you as you walk this journey.
~ Larry and Vicki Neiderworder
Philip SD (12/17/2016)
In any situation, on any committee, in any capacity, Phyllis was the voice of reason and common sense. Her word was as golden as her personality. We all were blessed to call her friend, coworker and neighbor. Sympathies to all of her family as you mourn her loss and share the memories.
~ Nancy
Green Valley, AZ (12/20/2016)
So sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest sympathy to the whole family. what a gentle and kind person, you have so many memories to warm your hearts at this very hard time.
~ Joyce Buchholz
Belle Fourche, SD (12/17/2016)
My thoughts and prayers are with each of you girls and your families. Your mom was a special lady!
~ Becky Logsdon-Dougherty
Cheyenne, Wyominh (12/20/2016)
May this promise from our Heavenly Father Jehovah comfort you doing your time of grieve. (Revelation 21:3-5) Have faith ! This promise will come true !
~ Mycena Dickerson
Lexington NC (12/21/2016)
Our deepest sympathy. what a special lady. always a smile and time to visit. God Bless.
~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler
2130 Ellen St. Sturgis,S.D. (12/18/2016)
Always such a sweet lady, years ago I worked at the Philip School and enjoyed her very much. So sorry to hear of her passing, my sympathies to all of you.
~ Floren & Debbie Falzone
Philip, SD (12/17/2016)
This wonderful lady was the Haakon school business manager when I was a new teacher. She explained my contract benefits to me and helped me decide how best to use them (she must have thought I was a fool!) She operated the books of the district with an 18 column (or more!) ledger book and a sharp pencil. You could call and she could answer ANY question you wanted to ask...business, athletic, academic, elementary or high school-didn't matter! She was a joy. Our family's prayers to you all for her passing-bless her heart.
~ Vonda Hamill
Milesville, SD (12/18/2016)
My what a wonderful woman she was, Joann was privileged to be with her in the American Legion Auxilary for many many years. Joann's mom, Emmie Reedy was a special friend with Phyllis , they spent many hours together. Hold onto all the wonderful memories.
~ Les & Joann Pearson
Philip, SD (12/18/2016)
Thinking of you at this time of loss. Know you will miss Phyllis as she was such a special person. She was friendly and kind to all she met and will be missed very much. Heaven gains another angel!
~ Bev & Cork Jahner
Kerrville, Texas (12/17/2016)
To all of Phyllis' family, my deepest sympathy. Such a kind and thoughtful woman. It was a joy to have her as a Silverleaf resident. She set a wonderful example for all as to how one can choose to live their life to the fullest, no matter what life deals you, and how to age gracefully. She faced each day with a positive attitude and always found something to be grateful for, even when life became more difficult. She encouraged the other residents to do the same. She thought of others. She believed in the power of prayer and I said more than one with her during her stay at Silverleaf. She was multi-talented. I often think of the beautiful rocks she painted. She loved her family. You were all so good to her. I know you will miss her. She is at peace now in Heaven. You are all in my prayers.
~ Julie McLaughlin
Midland, SD (12/22/2016)
Our sympathy to all. We knew Phyllis as our friend Phillis' talented mother....a seamstress and artist!
~ Spence & Lois Albertson
New Braunfels, TX (12/21/2016)
What a great lady to have as a business manage for this new teacher! I surely appreciated her example and efforts daily!
~ Sally Crowser
New Underwood (12/19/2016)
So sorry to here of the passing of Phyllis, she was a wonderful person our prayers are with you
~ Butch Amsden
Santa Rosa Ca (12/20/2016)
Deepest sympathy - wishing much love and comfort - (2 Cor 1:3,4)
~ C. Bell
(12/27/2016)
My deepest sympathy to all of Phyllis's family. She was such a special lady and I was so grateful for her help and friendship many times in my life. She will be singing with the angels this Christmas.
~ Marcia Jackson
Spearfish, SD (12/19/2016)
Phyllis was the business manager of the Philip School system during many of my teaching years. Whenever a situation would need an answer, Phyllis would be able to give a wise solution. She was one not to judge others but to show understanding of people. Throughout her years as the business manager, she helped make teaching smoother and the decisions easier to follow through. Thanks, Phyllis.
~ Theresa Deuchar
Milesville (12/21/2016)
I am sorry to hear of your mother's passing. I have known her all my life and she was a good person/friend to all!!
~ Joe Millage
Philip, S.D. (12/18/2016)
At the risk of sounding cliché, two words come to mind when I think of Phyllis...humble and kind. She had a heart of gold and just a year ago when my mom entered a nursing home she gave me advice and suggestions on how to make it easier. I will miss her.
~ Lori Seager
Philip (12/20/2016)
We also appreciate the kind, classy woman known as Phyllis. She was a very special person to us & we extend our sympathies to her family.
~ Betty & Jim Smith
Philip, S.D. (12/19/2016)
Cheryl and I are so grateful for Phyllis' friendship and astounding wisdom. Her loss is deeply felt by the both of us, our hearts are with her family, friends, and the community of Philip.
~ David and Cheryl Dick
Huron, SD (12/18/2016)