Phyllis E. (Dukes) Layman

Phyllis Eileen Dukes was born on  March 22, 1939 to John A. and Jessie E. (Coffman) Dukes in Nebraska City, NE.   After battling illness, Phyllis passed away peacefully at The Ambassador in Sidney, IA on July 3, 2025 surrounded by her loved ones.

Phyllis had a long and love-filled life.  She graduated from Nebraska City High School and married James Lloyd Layman on December 1, 1958 and had two daughters:  Rhonda and Lisa.

She enjoyed camping, reading, crafting, going to the car races and country music.  She could often be seen cheering on her grandchildren at sporting events.  She was also a dedicated 4-H mom, helping her children and grandchildren with projects each year.

Phyllis enjoyed some 15 years of working at the Lied Lodge and Conference Center in Nebraska City.  She retired from Lied Lodge and retained many lifelong friendships that she made there.

She had an infectious excitement for May Day and would often share the traditions of the day.  She would make intricate baskets and fill them with treats to share at the doorsteps of family and friends and was known for making an abundance of them for the church congregation to share with their families in the hope that the tradition would be passed through the generations.

Phyllis enjoyed volunteering for the Percival Community that she lived in for over 60 years.  She enjoyed her involvement in Percival Hometown Pride and was a member of Percival Community Church.  She loved the church that she cleaned and helped in the kitchen for many years.  She was a woman of great faith in her Lord and Savior.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jim, her daughter Rhonda Shirley, six sisters and four brothers.

Phyllis is survived by her daughter Lisa Phillips and husband Jeff of Hamburg, IA; five grandchildren:  Heather Lenae Shirley of Omaha, NE; Emily O’Rourke and husband Matt of Glenwood, IA; Justin Phillips and wife Samantha of Hamburg, IA; Joel DeLong of Lake Forest, CA and Garett Phillips of Hamburg, IA; six great-grandchildren:  Lauren, Elijah, Ryleigh, Claire, Edith and Amelia; other family and friends.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, and she’ll be remembered with affection, happiness and the memories she gave us all.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025 at the Percival Community Church in Percival, IA with Pastor Donna Miller officiating.  Inurnment will follow in Wyuka Cemetery in Nebr. City, NE.

The family will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday (7/13) at Gude Mortuary in Nebr. City.

Memorials may be given to Percival Hometown Pride or Percival Community Church.

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