Phyllis Yvonne Weslow
TRINITY, Texas — Phyllis Yvonne Weslow, 85, Trinity, Texas, died Jan. 9, 2022.
Phyllis, daughter of Albert and Iva (Wade) Tweedy, was born Feb. 29, 1936, in the small town of Wausa. She grew up on a rural farm in Hartington, with two sisters and one brother, and in those early years found her love of music and acting. After graduation, she moved to Lincoln, and attended the Lincoln School of Commerce. She married Leigh Lorenson June 20, 1954, at the Congregational Church in Hartington, and they had three children, MeLea, Kevin and Kirk. During these early years she worked at several jobs which included Russell Stover Candies and Goodyear in Lincoln.
They moved the family to Texas in the late 1960s, where she worked at the First State Bank in Crockett, and later began her career as a school secretary which she continued until her retirement in 2008. During these years her children were blessed to have grown up with wonderful family gatherings with grandparents, cousins, and aunts and uncles at their home or on family farms. Growing up, Phyllis made sure there were playhouses, tree houses, pets, games (Shanghai, Rummikub, etc.) roller skating, tents, popcorn and Pepsi nights, swimming, holiday celebrations and so much more.
In 1977, she closed one chapter of her life and began a new chapter with her marriage to Julian Weslow July 2. MeLea and Kevin had already graduated and were out of the house, but Kirk, being much younger made the move with them to Trinity, Texas. Even though this new life was markedly different than her previous life, Phyllis still worked extremely hard to provide a peaceful loving household. She made sure that every holiday gathering was as special and comfortable as possible. As Kirk went through his school years, she was always his biggest cheerleader and always made sure he was safe and happy. She played the piano for many years at both the Presbyterian and the Methodist churches in Trinity, and she loved performing in community plays, singing in church, and at special holiday events.
She instilled in all her children a great work ethic, taught them to have an inner strength, and to always live life with laughter, that family rises above all, to always be there for each other, and that no matter what life brings we will always be loved. There was nothing in this world more important to her than her children and there was no sacrifice too great for their happiness. Her last words on this earth were telling each of us “I Love You more than anything in the world.”
Phyllis was a member of The First United Methodist Church of Trinity, Boys and Girls Club, and the Martin Senior Citizen’s Center.
Phyllis is survived by her three children, MeLea (Scott) Kinkaid, Hartington; Kevin (Donna) Lorenson, Trinity, Texas; and Kirk (Marcy) Lorenson, Trinity, Texas; grandsons, Aden (Erika) Springer and Skyles Kinkaid; granddaughters, Katy (Matt) Krumm and Kelsey (Eric) Jones; great-grandchildren, Shaye and Weston Springer, Darsey Anne, Emma Kate, Stella Mae and Livi Gayle Krumm, Taylor Raye and Easton George Jones; sister, Ardis McFarland, Kalispell, Mont.; brother, Ron (Judy) Tweedy, Lincoln; sister-in-law, Elda (Lauren) Juracek; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Julian, in 2018; her parents; sister, Lorraine, and her husband, Ray Woockman; brother-in-law, Tom McFarland; sister-in-law, LaVada, and her husband, Donley Mainquist; nephew, Steve Woockman; nephew, Shawn Rand; great-nephew, Blake Woockman; and younger sister, Doretha, who died at the age of 2.