Phyllis Joyce (Hanson) Kirkhorn

     Phyllis Joyce Kirkhorn, of Aitkin, passed away peacefully on January 22nd, 2025, the day before her 98th birthday.  She was lovingly attended to by family, medical care givers and friends.

     Phyllis was born January 23, 1927, in Wahpeton, ND, and spending most of her childhood in Barnesville and Breckenridge.  Phyllis attended Concordia College-Moorhead, where she met her future husband, Ray. She transferred to the University of Minnesota (with Ray following her), earning a degree in Home Economics, and a teaching certificate for high school home economics.

     Phyllis and Ray married in 1950. Phyllis taught home economics in Swanville, MN, but resigned to start a family. Phyllis and Ray moved their family (Steve and Randi) to several small towns in North Dakota and NW Minnesota, until settling in Brainerd, for 10 years. In 1970, they settled permanently in Aitkin, as owners of Security State Bank. After the death of Ray in 2003, Phyllis continued to live independently at her beloved Nord Lake home until age 94, made possible in part by her good friends and neighbors around the Nord Lake/Seth Lake area.

     Phyllis was a generous and devoted mother and grandmother.  She planned fun family vacations, was a wonderful cook and excellent seamstress. She was creative in design, arts and crafts.   While living in Brainerd, she entered a kitchen design contest and won top prize: a fully paid kitchen and bathroom remodel! Additionally, Phyllis loved wildflowers and considered her Nord Lake home a sanctuary for the wild animals and native plants living there.

     Phyllis was an active volunteer and group member, starting as a teen playing piano for church and school events.  She was involved at Security State Bank with the annual cookbooks, organizing Christmas parties, and as a Board member. She participated in the Aitkin Hospital Axillary and served as a “Pink Lady.”  Phyllis greatly enjoyed attending quilting retreats at Long Lake Conservation Center.  She was a member of Lakes and Woods Garden Club, and with First Lutheran Church groups such as Rebecca Circle and The Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen. She was one of the founding members of the Nord Lake Association.

     Phyllis was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ray, her parents, and her 2 brothers (Harold and Vernon).  She is survived by her children, Steve (Sue) Kirkhorn, and Randi (Bob) Born, along with her 5 grandchildren Marta (Chris) Vant, Leah (Chris) Kirkhorn, Matthew (Nicole) Born, Derek (Alyssa) Born, and Michael Kirkhorn.  She also leaves behind 8 great-grandchildren (Dillon, Sienna, Elyse, Harper, Cole, Nolan, Lydia, and the soon-to-arrive “Baby Born”), along with Gena Bugno (mother of Marta and Leah)/Lon Scheele, her sister-in-law (Marillyn Hanson), nieces (Leigh, Valerie, Jocelyn), nephew (Craig) and many dear cousins and friends. We also want to acknowledge the caring attention she received from all the staff during her final years at Folkestone Presbyterian Home in Wayzata.

Services will be Monday, February 17 at 11 AM in First Lutheran Church, Aitkin with Pastor Reggie Denton officiating.  Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be in MN State Veteran’s Cemetery, Little Falls at a later date.

In lieu of flowers…. Donations to Long Lake Conservation Center (https://www.longlakecc.org) or the Community Food Shelf at First Lutheran Church. To leave a message of condolence, please visit:  www.srtfuneral.com.  Arrangements are with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Aitkin.

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