Evans Funeral Home
"Compassionate Funeral Service"
Carrington and New Rockford, North Dakota
701.652.3003 or 701.947.2911
Secondary Number ~ 701.650.9937
Phyllis Topp
Phyllis Ione Topp, 95, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, New Rockford, ND.
Phyllis (Anderson) Topp was born in Nelson County, ND on March 24,1930, to Carl and Mabel (Foreng) Anderson of Hamar, ND.
Phyllis was confirmed at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, rural Hamar, ND in 1944 and graduated from high school at Tolna ND in 1948. She then went to Minot Teachers College where she received her teaching certificate. Phyllis taught school for two years in rural Cherry Lake school. While teaching school she met her husband, Wayne. They were united in marriage July 23, 1950. They had 73 years together.
They started their married life at a farm near Grace City ND. In 1978, they moved to New Rockford ND.
Phyllis loved being outside in her yard tending to the flower beds. Her passion was mowing the yard. Because no one could mow straight lines to her satisfaction, at 90 years old she still push mowed her yard.
She was an avid Midkota Fan and spent many nights on the bleachers watching BB games or concerts. She made countless pans of Special K Bars over the years. She did not visit family without bringing her “special treat” or have them in the freezer for us to find.
Phyllis is survived by her children, Lynn (Mary) Topp, Detroit Lakes, MN, Lisa Ashby, Nashville, TN, and Jill (Michael) Thompson, Red Willow Lake, Binford, ND. 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, Sister-in- law Joyce Anderson, and many nieces and nephews.
Phyllis is preceded in death by her husband Wayne; her parents, Carl and Mabel Anderson; a brother Marvin Anderson; In-laws Fred and Jennie Topp, Son-in-law Thaddeus Ashby, Brother and sister-in-law, Russell and Vera Topp and Sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Clayton Rost.
Phyllis’ Visitation will be Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 1:00PM – 5:00PM at Evans Funeral Home, New Rockford.
A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 10:30AM at Grace Lutheran Church, Grace City, ND.
Her Burial will be at the Grace City Cemetery, Grace City, ND.
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Lynn,Lisa and Jill: I’m so sorry for your loss! Wishing you peace to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts!
Sending our sympathy to Phyllis’s family. When she taught school at Cherry Lake #3, she lived at our house. I think that is when she met Wayne. Phyllis and Wayne were great workers at Central North Dakota Steam Threshers every summer and fall. She leaves many great memories in our hearts.
Joan and Dewey Heckaman
They are together again. We are so sorry for her loss. They were such a beautiful couple and always greeted us where ever we met up. I will miss this special couple forever.
My Sympathy to All her Family. Remember her always taking care of the flowers at the Grace City Cafe when I went for meals to deliver and at ballgames. Rest in Peace
Sending Sympathy to all of Phyllis’s family!
Our deepest sympathy to all the family for the passing of your mother.
Topp family, we are so sorry for your loss. Your mom was such a beautiful lady. She and your dad were always so friendly to us when we would see them at the Grace City Schoolhouse Cafe fundraiser or at the fair. She and Wayne were a very cute couple. Now they are together again.
I have such strong memories of Phyllis. She always seemed like the most elegant of all of us. Always polite, proper and well-spoken. She was so warm to each of us, as was Wayne. Her signature laugh is something you just can’t replicate, well, maybe Cheryl Foreng a bit. What a wonderful life lived! I am sorry that I cannot make this trip this week. God rest your soul Phyllis! My condolences to all who were affected notch or two closer to Phyllis than I. ~Patrick Walsh, #1st cousin, once removed. (Mother was Dianne Foreng)
Jill, Lisa & Lynn – your families have had a devastating week. Our condolences to your families. God bless your Mother. How wonderful to have had her for 95 years & her & Wayne for 73 years; together again. My memories are also of a quiet, hard working & classy lady. Lisa, I’m using this venue to reach out to you and express my sympathy for your double heart break, losing TC so recently.