Phyllis Bennett Hans
January 11, 1919 — September 24, 2017
Phyllis June Bennett Hans, 98
Jan. 11, 1919 - Sept. 24, 2017
Phyllis June Bennett Hans, a resident of Boonsboro for nearly 40 years, died on September 24 at Fahrney-Keedy Home and Village.
Phyllis was born on her family’s farm near Boone County Iowa to Robert Bennett and Marian Barger Bennett. She studied home economics at Iowa State University, graduating at the top of her class in 1940. She earned a master’s degree in 1944 at Columbia University in New York City and then taught dietetics at the University of Iowa.
In 1950 Phyllis married Merwin Hans and devoted herself to home making. They remained partners in all they did until her death, with Merwin serving as her attentive caregiver for many years. During their marriage they lived in Davenport, IA; West Des Moines, IA; Overland Park, KS; College Park, MD; Washington, DC; and Boonsboro, MD.
Phyllis was a devoted mother to her daughters, Paula Todd and Sydney Hans. She encouraged them to excel academically and they earned graduate degrees from Stanford and Harvard. Phyllis is survived by her husband, daughters, sons-in-law (John Todd and Lawrence Strickling), grandsons Taylor Strickling (Laura), Alec Strickling (Samantha), and Robert Strickling, and great-granddaughter Elizabeth Phyllis Dixon Strickling, named in her honor.
A memorial service will be held at 2 PM on October 12, 2017 in the chapel at Fahrney-Keedy Home and Village. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Phyllis Bennett Hans Graduate Scholarship through the Iowa State University Foundation, 2505 University Boulevard, P.O. Box 2230, Ames, Iowa 50010-2230.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home in Boonsboro. Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.