Phyllis Katherine Zakowitz

Published October 30, 2019 at 3:14 PM

Phyllis Katherine Zakowitz, 89 of Esko passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2019 in St. Luke’s Hospital with her family be her side. She was born to Lawrence and Josephine Greiten on January 5, 1930 in Duluth. Phyllis graduated from Proctor High School in 1947. She married Howard W. Zakowitz on September 2, 1950. They were married for fifty-three years until Howard’s passing in 2004. Besides being a homemaker and raising five children, she worked as a telephone operator and a convenience store clerk. Phyllis loved baking, gardening, traveling and spending time with her family. Her true passion in life was making others feel special. Whether it be a birthday party or simply having you over for coffee and sweets. She was extremely generous and caring and put all others above herself.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Howard; son, Kent Zakowitz; mother-in-law, Esther Cole; sister and brother-in-law, Lorraine and Al Shelton; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ray and Ruth Webster.

Phyllis is survived by her children, Linda (John) Geving, Cathy (John) Heieie, Trudy (Randy) Stahl, and Danny (Karen) Zakowitz; daughter-in-law, Becky Jo Zakowitz; grandchildren, Mike (Denise) Freeman, Kandi (Paul) Banks, Shawna (Justen) Grimm, Krystal Ramos, Dana (Emily) Heieie, Bobbi Jo Zakowitz, Eric Zakowitz, Emily (Taylor) Martin, Brent (Jessica) Stahl, Jace Stahl, Nick (Ashley) Zakowitz, Chad (Lauren) Zakowitz, and Kaysie Zakowitz; step grandchildren, Robert (Sandy) Geving, Lorn Geving and Jennifer Geving; sisters-in-law, Ramona Hanson and Karen (Richard) Moe; 21 great grandchildren with another one on the way; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation: 2:00 until the 3:00 p.m. funeral service on Sunday, November 3, 2019 in the Atkins Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St., Cloquet. Dinner and fellowship will follow in the Fireside Room of the funeral home. Burial will be in Sunrise Memorial Park in Hermantown. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com