It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife and mother, Phyllis Jean (Barton) Harris.
Phyllis was born on July 30, 1929, in Pipestone, Minnesota, to Willard and Hilda (Stoltenberg) Barton.
She grew up in the small town of Trosky, Minnesota, during the Great Depression, in a warm and loving home alongside her three older brothers: Lyle, Les, and Dwayne.
After graduating from Pipestone High School in 1947, Phyllis moved to Minneapolis, where she lived with a friend at Mabeth Paige, a residence hall for women working downtown.
Soon after, on March 26, 1948, a mutual friend from Pipestone High School—Jack Sturdevant—set her up on a blind date with his University of Minnesota fraternity brother, Bob Harris, a hockey player from “somewhere up north.” Things gelled quickly for these two small-town kids, and they quickly fell deeply in love. Their beautiful 77-year love story became official when they married on June 23, 1951, in Trosky.
Bob graduated from the University of Minnesota Dental School in 1952—the day after their first child, John, was born in Minneapolis. The young family then relocated to Roseau, where Bob joined his father’s dental practice. In 1958, Bob and Phyllis built their dream home, which for the next 25 years overflowed with love, laughter, and dreams that came beautifully true.
Phyllis’s passion was tireless, quiet, and humble service to the family she loved so deeply. As they aged, all five of her children grew to revel in the amazing way Phyllis modeled the role of wife and mother to near perfection.
Phyllis is survived by her loving husband, Bob; daughter-in-law, Jenifer of Naples, Florida; sons, Rob (Karin) of Eden Prairie, Mark (Jan) of Eagan, Scott (Ruth) of Minneapolis; and daughter, Nancy (Paul) Blanchard of Marshall; grandchildren, Chris (Gabbie) Harris of London, England, Katie (Ernie) Rose of Edina, Melissa (Marcus) Jenkins of Blacksburg, VA, Eric (Courtney) Harris of Charleston, SC, Sallie Harris of Inver Grove Heights, Joanna (Harold) Price of Apple Valley, Will Harris of Minneapolis, Jessica (Kyle) Richter of New London, and Joe Blanchard of Seattle, WA; great-grandchildren, Francesca, Luke, and Nicole Harris of London, England, Ryder, Hattie, Porter, and Oscar Rose of Edina, MN, Malia, Miles, and Madelyne Jenkins of Blacksburg, VA, Hunter and Hatcher Harris of Charleston, SC, Harrison, Ruben, Nixon, and Camila Price of Apple Valley, MN, and Weston and Collins Richter of New London, MN.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Willard and Hilda; her brothers, Lyle, Les, and Dwayne; and her son, John.
Phyllis J. Harris of Roseau passed away at the Roseau Manor on Thursday, January 1st, 2026. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, January 8th, 2026 at 11:00 AM at First United Lutheran Church in Roseau. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Last modified: 01/06/2026
