Phyllis Lucille Hill

In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.

Obituary

PPhyllis Lucille (Lehmkuhl) Hill passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026, at the hospital in Tucson, Arizona; she was 91 years old. Phyllis was born on March 7, 1934, in Leaf River Township, Wadena, Minnesota, to parents Wilfred Lehmkuhl and Margaret (Oldenburg) Lehmkuhl.

Phyllis was married to the love of her life, Duane Hill, who preceded her in death in 2005. She is also preceded in death by her parents, and a sister who passed away shortly after birth. She is survived by her daughter, Alexis "Lexi" Hanson; son-in-law, Brad Hanson; her sister, Jen Kay; many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and "grand dogs" Tikka and Lilly.

For the past seven years, Phyllis spent much of her time living with her daughter Alexis in Tucson, Arizona, while also enjoying time at her home in Nisswa, Minnesota. In her Minnesota community, Phyllis cherished the friendships she built with neighbors and friends. She enjoyed neighborhood potlucks and was an active participant in several women’s groups, including the Red Hat Ladies, Book Club—where she loved reading bestsellers and engaging in meaningful discussions—Garden Club, and Knitting/Crochet Club, where she lovingly made caps for premature babies. She was devoted to her Lutheran church, regularly attending services and church events, and she generously supported causes close to her heart.

Phyllis also had a deep love for animals and shared many joyful years with multiple rescue “shelter” dogs and a cat that she, her daughter Alexis, and son-in-law Brad adopted together.

While living in Arizona, Phyllis found great joy in birdwatching, especially delighting in the hummingbirds and cardinals that visited the scenic Tucson backyard of her daughter’s home. She enjoyed taking walks through the neighborhood, often stopping to visit with neighbors and friends, and attending dinners, parties, and events at the neighborhood clubhouse. Phyllis loved to travel, taking trips to Phoenix, Sedona, Las Vegas, and Colorado. She had a passion for shopping, dining out—especially for Italian, Japanese, and Mexican food—reading on her Kindle and iPhone (often finishing two books a week), and dancing. She especially enjoyed novels by Mary Stone, John Grisham, and many others. Plus...she was an expert with her iPhone taking selfie photos and texting messages with cute emoji's.

Phyllis often said she was living her “best life,” a sentiment that truly reflected her joyful spirit, love of connection, and appreciation for each day.

Blessing & Scripture:
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
— Numbers 6:24–26

May God’s peace surround all who loved Phyllis, bringing comfort, strength, and hope as we remember a life so beautifully lived. May we carry Phyllis’s kindness, laughter, compassion, and love forward in our lives. May her memory be a blessing, and may God’s peace be with us always. Amen.

Correspondence/Condolences:

Please send any correspondence and condolences to Phyllis’s daughter, Alexis Hanson, at:

5226 N Spring View Dr
Tucson, AZ 85749

Those who wish may also contact Alexis by phone at 701-388-4547 or via email at phyllishillmemorial@gmail.com

Funeral "Celebration of Life" Plans

CELEBRATION OF LIFE Plans

It was my mother’s wish to have a "Celebration of Her Life" rather than a traditional funeral. Phyllis chose to be cremated and requested that her ashes be placed in the columbarium beside my father, Duane, located in the outdoor garden and walking/nature area at their Lutheran church.

Plans are currently underway for a "Celebration of Phyllis’s Life," which will take place in May or June 2026 in the Nisswa / Baxter / Brainerd, Minnesota area. As details are finalized, updates will be shared on this website.

If you wish to receive a personal notification regarding "Phyllis’s Celebration of Life," I kindly ask that you please contact me by mail, email, or phone and provide your full name, mailing address, phone number, and email address (if available). This will allow me to notify you directly once plans are complete. 

Alexis Hanson
Address: 5226 N Spring View Dr, Tucson, AZ 85749
Email: phyllishillmemorial@gmail.com
Phone: 701-388-4547

I am hopeful that many of you will be able to attend the "Celebration of Phyllis’s Life." I know Mom would love for you to be there — and I would love it too. I believe Mom is looking down on us from heaven with that beautiful smile on her face, with my father, Duane, by her side, surrounded by God’s and Jesus’ love and embrace.

I am deeply grateful for all the time I was blessed to spend with my mom. She was the most compassionate, caring, loving and wonderful human being I have ever known — and the most important person in my world. I love and miss her more than words can express, and I know many of you feel the same.

With sincere gratitude and best wishes,
Alexis Hanson

P.S. In the meantime, you are warmly invited to share your memories. Please feel free to post photo memories of Phyllis in the Photo Gallery below, and share your Condolences or share your written Memories of Phyllis in the Memory Wall below.

Photo Gallery: Please add your photo memories here

Memory wall

January 11, 2026

I am deeply grateful for all the time I was blessed to spend with my mom. She was the most compassionate, caring, loving and wonderful human being I have ever known — and the most important person in my world. She was my best friend, and a wonderful grandma to her "fur babies." She loved to be stylish, making sure her outfits, shoes, and purses would match perfectly; when she would put on a cute outfit she would go in front of the mirror and take a "selfie" photo too - she was awesome. She loved her friends and I remember her telling me that she had a neighborhood pajama party at her house that was a blast - she loved hosting and planning events like this. She had the most playful sense of humor, and would say things like "I may be little, but I am mighty" and when my father passed and her friends asked her about dating again, mom laughed and said clearly: "I'm not sharing my closet.” Mom was a perfect combo of "loving" and "spicy" and I love that she lived life to its fullest. I love and miss her more than words can express.

Alexis "Lexi" Hanson

Donate