Phyllis Arlene Heikens

Phyllis Arlene Heikens, daughter of Wesley Frank and Estella Ella (Davis) Kohn, was born on August 12, 1928, on a farm north of Spencer. She was the only pupil in her grade at Meadow Township country school. In high school she showed calves through 4H and dreamed of owning a house on a lake. After high school in Spencer, she attended college at Hamlin University in St Paul, MN. Phyllis married Eugene Severson in 1947 and had Kohnne a year later. On August 7, 1954 Phyllis married Bernard Heikens in Jackson, MN. Their daughter Jane was born in 1956. The couple settled on the Heiken's family farm where Phyllis raised her family and found a creative outlet sewing draperies for Twetten's. Phyllis was born with an appreciation for art. She loved theater and acted in over a dozen performances including 'On Golden Pond'. She was a knitting artist and a food artist (delicious salads, pies, and carmel corn were specialties). She shared her appreciation for art by volunteering at the Lakes Arts Center. A daily fan of NPR, Phyllis enjoyed music, dancing, well written words, and beautiful spaces. In 1999, Phyllis combined all her talents by building a beautiful permanent home on Lake Okoboji. The space and the hostess created a sanctuary for all who visited. Phyllis was encouraged in her faith by the congregation at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Spirit Lake. Phyllis passed away on May 1, 2012, at the Spencer Hospital at the age of 83. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bernard and her daughter Jane Zaiger. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Kohnne Bippus and her husband, David of Cherry Valley, IL; granddaughter, Laura Wells and her husband, Tom of Saginaw, MI; two great granddaughters, Hadley and Kassy; two sisters, Beverly Beving of Spencer, IA and Mariel Oftelie and her husband, Phil of Bellevue, NE; along with many other relatives and friends.

SERVICES

OFFICIATING

CASKET BEARERS

VISITATION

MUSIC

INTERMENT