Phyllis Lyback

Phyllis Marie Kaushagen was born on February 7, 1921 to Jessie and Cleber Kaushagen in their family home in Storden Township of Cottonwood County near Lamberton, Minnesota. She was the third of six children. Early childhood years on the farm were followed by family moves to Geneva in 1932 (where her Papa ran a gas station) and eventually to Albert Lea in 1940. Phyllis worked in the local onion fields and packing plants to help support her family during the Depression years. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1936. When WWII changed the world, Phyllis found herself working for the rationing board in Freeborn County. In 1947 she took a job at the VA near Fort Snelling. Not long after that she met Clark Lyback, whom she married on May 24, 1948. Phyllis moved to the Mille Lacs area near Wahkon. Together she and Clark created Lyback’s Ice Fishing, made and sold Lyback’s Pure Maple Syrup, and built numerous wooden boats, all towards making a living and being able to stay near the lake which was Clark’s childhood home as well as home to their children: Edward Clark born in 1955 and Susan Marie born in 1958. After Clark died in 1984, Phyllis remained in the Mille Lacs area, moving to Isle in 1989 and returning to the woods and lake in 2003 to reside with her daughter. In 1996 she self-published “50,000 Holes”, a book of tribute to Clark and the life they had shared. Over the years Phyllis remained selflessly dedicated to family and friends, devoted to her Lutheran faith and her Norwegian heritage, and she worked hard to preserve family history. Phyllis was active in numerous service organizations including Opti-Misses, CCR, Sons of Norway – Tusenvann Lodge, Nordic Hus Cultural Center, Mille Lacs Lake Museum and countless Faith Lutheran Circles and Bible Study groups. Above all, Phyllis was a woman of Faith, a servant of God. She prayed unceasingly for her family and continually looked for the sunshine in life. She will be deeply missed. In her own words, “With my whole heart I give thanks to God who has been there for us and with us through everything, even though at times we were not aware of His presence. Takk for alt!” Phyllis is survived by her son, Edward C. (Cindy) Lyback of Wahkon, MN; daughter, Susan (Doug Jacobson)) Lyback of Wahkon, MN; sisters, Twylah Larson of Byron, MN, Vera Olson of Albert Lea, MN; grandchildren, Jeremy Lyback, Andrea (Oscar Eli) Lyback, Steven Eli; great-granddaughter, Isabel Rose Eli; And many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clark Marion Lyback; parents, Jessie and Cleber Kaushagen; brothers, Earl, Oren, and Roy Kaushagen; and nephew, Kurt.

Tributes

Phyllis Lyback

February 7, 1921 - December 24, 2009