Phyllis's father, Ed Carlson, was born in Malmo, Sweden and served in the Swedish Navy, coming to America in 1921 where he met and married Emma Hjelden.  Phyllis was born on January 31, 1928 to Ed and Emma (Hjelden) Carlson near Minnewaukan and was baptized at the West Minnewaukan Free Church. She was confirmed at North Viking Lutheran Church. Phyllis married Donald Hakanson of Maddock, son of Hjalmer and Mabel (Nielson) Hakanson in Seattle in 1944. Donald served in the Navy during WWII. After returning home from the Navy, he worked for the city, did electric work and wiring on farms for REA and later installed plumbing for many rural families.  In 1956, after Don's father died, Phyllis and Don moved to the home farm south of Maddock and farmed there for 30 years. At that time they moved to a home in Maddock.  Phyllis worked at the Haukness Store and also the Maddock Memorial Home.

Phyllis was very active at North Viking Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School for several years, sang in the choir, served on the Altar committee, a  member of the ALCW and was a  Circle leader. She also was a long time member and two term president of the Theodore A. Togstad American Legion Post #123 Auxiliary and was active with the Eagles Auxiliary.

They had 4 children:  son:  Keith deceased, (Bev Huber);   daughter:  Peggy Ritchie and her son Christopher, wife Alana and child, Sebastien;   son:  Larry (Val Klein) of New Rockford their daughter Heidi and children Brandy Autumn Leona (deceased) , Aaron and Amber from Bismarck; and son Michael (Kristi) and children, Quinn, Wyatt, and Bentley living on the home farm; and a daughter:  Laurie (Dave) Warner of Great Falls, Montana, their children Crystal and daughter Peyton; Sean, and Eric.  4 step-grandchildren:  Jay (Leanna) Roberts,  Michelle (Floyd) Wahl,  James ( Beth) Roberts and Steve (Cathy) Roberts several step-grandchildren.  Phyllis's  brothers:  Carroll and Rodger Carlson also survive.  Phyllis also had an "almost sister" Dallas Hakanson Larson of Heimdal with whom she spent time. They were all very musical and the piano got a lot of use.

Phyllis had been living in a senior apartment in Maddock with her best friend and constant companion "missy" or "missy sue" for several years with the assistance mainly of Tammy Haug, a very special friend and her husband. She recently became suddenly ill with pneumonia and was hospitalized and then admitted to the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd. She passed away there on January 21, 2014.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents;  husband;  her oldest son:  Keith;  sisters: Florence Hegland , Beverly Lane, Frances Storsteen and a brother Clair Carlson;  nephews:  Steve and Kent Pranke; sisters-in-law:  Mavis Goodwill and Helen Mae Berg and an infant great-granddaughter:  Brandy.

Condolences: