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PHYLLIS ARLENE DUKES

    Phyllis Arlene Dukes was born September 25, 1919 at Grand River, Iowa. She was the daughter of George and Zettie (McDowell) Bryant. Phyllis graduated from Daughton country school near Grand River in 1932. She received her GED diploma in 1977.
    Phyllis married Merle Dukes of Ellston, Iowa on November 7, 1936. Farming in Ringgold county was their livelihood. They moved west of Tingley in 1944 and farmed until Merle died in 1977. Phyllis moved to Mount Ayr in 1979.
    She was a homemaker and enjoyed visiting with her grandkids and watching her great-grandchildren. She loved to bowl and she loved to cook; especially during the holidays when the family would get together. The church would ask her to bake her famous custard pie for a fund-raising program. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, U.M.W. and birthday club. Phyllis passed away July 21, 2012 at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center.
    Survivors include her children, Donald (Barbara) Dukes of Bronson, Iowa and Reta (Jack) Sickels of Creston, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Jon (Sara) Dukes of Bronson, Iowa, Jena Dukes (Rick) Huizinga of Saint James, Missouri, Jane Dukes (Lou) Encinias of Greeley, Colorado, Rick Sickels of Cape Coral, Florida, Tim (Jymi) Sickels of North Pole, Alaska, Mindy Sickels (Ronnie) Skarda of Afton, Iowa and Lisa Sickels (Jason) Hagle of Creston, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Nicole and Ryan Dukes of Bronson, Iowa, Larissa Encinias of Greeley, Colorado, Tarah Sickels (Shawn) Colburn of North Pole, Alaska, Tyson Sickels of North Pole, Alaska, Jordyn Sickels of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Madison Skarda of Afton, Iowa, Allivea Skarda of Afton, Iowa, Gage Skarda of Afton, Iowa, Hannah Hagle of Creston, Iowa, Chloe Hagle of Creston, Iowa, Gracie Hagle of Creston, Iowa and Sophia Hagle of Creston, Iowa; sister-in-law, Pearl Roster Bryant of Banning, California, and other relatives and friends.
    She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Glen, Clarence, John, Harold, Ray and Dwane Bryant, and sisters, Esther, Rose, Cora and Opal.
    A memorial fund has been established to HCI Care Services in Mount Ayr and the Mount Ayr United Methodist Church. Arrangements were by Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr.
    Services were held at the United Methodist Church in Mount Ayr on Thursday, July 26, 2012, with Rev. Skip Rushing officiating. Musicians included Nancy Sackett, Donald Dukes, Mary Davenport and Margaret Bickers.
    Casket bearers were Rick Sickels, Jason Hagle, Ronnie Skarda, Jon Dukes, Jim Feeback and Lowell Hickman.
    Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr.

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