Phyllis D. Libby

Phyllis D. Libby of Marysville, Kansas passed peacefully, surrounded by her daughters and grandchildren at the Frankfort Community Care Home on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

A visitation will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on April 12, 2025, at Kinsley Mortuary.

A Mass of Christian Burial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on April 14, 2025, at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, Marysville, Kansas.

On October 23, 1932, Phyllis was born in Home, Kansas to Oscar and Vida Barlow Blocker. She graduated from Marysville High School in May 1950. On September 3, 1950, Phyllis was united in marriage to Wallace L. “Duff” Libby at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Marysville. Duff passed away on July 10, 2018.

Phyllis worked many jobs around Marysville at Montgomery Wards, City Sewing, and Marysville Mutual Insurance Company, retiring in 1998.

Phyllis enjoyed many hobbies throughout her life. Whether it be the beaches of California, golfing in Hilton Head, South Carolina, or visiting numerous US National Parks. Traveling took her to 49 of the 50 states. Not being someone who enjoyed the cold, she was fine skipping Alaska.

She was also an avid sports fan; enjoying golf, baseball, basketball, football, and tennis. From cheering on her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to watching on TV or attending in person, the Royals, Chiefs, and K-State were her favorites. If you walked into her home, there was sure to be a game on TV. If there wasn’t a game to watch, you would find her in her chair with a good book in hand. The joy of reading is a pastime she handed down from her children to her great-grandchildren.

Her greatest joy in life was her marriage of 67 years to Duff. Their stories and adventures in life together are countless. Many an evening was spent dancing the night away with the Bob Welch Trio playing in the background. Spring and summer weekends, they could be found gathered with friends and family at a campsite around the area. A favorite day date tradition involved a drive to Kansas City for brunch, maybe a Royals game, and then back home.

Retirement allowed Phyllis and Duff the opportunity for more adventures. They made routine trips to Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Arizona for long stays with family and friends. Their most cherished time, though, was spent helping raise and care for their grandchildren. They always made the extra effort for their grandkids. They were sure to be in attendance for grandparents' days at school, Christmas programs, dance recitals, ball games, or taking the road trip to spend time with those living hours away. Sleepovers at Mommo and Poppo’s, often involving pizza and ice cream, were always a joyous occasion. As their grandchildren grew into adults and started their own families, Phyllis and Duff were there to share stories, advice, and wisdom learned in their own lives. They always had something to teach us.

Preceding her in death is her husband, Duff; parents, Oscar and Vida; brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Dora Blocker; son-in-law, Jim Borgerding; granddaughter, Isabella Borgerding; and many nieces and nephews.

Survivors include her four daughters, 10 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren: Kim (Pat) Mulhern and family, Sean (Jaime) Mulhern, Saoirse, and Selah; Mike (Sarah) Mulhern, Rohan, Ashna, and Ravi; Dana (Cork) Holle and family, Russ Holle, Robert Holle, and Emilyn and Miriam, and Reese Holle (Jason, Michael); Penny (Joe) Howell and family, Meredith (Matt) Bergmann, Allan, and Leona; Mark (Gentry) Howell, Wrigley and Brecken Duff; Melissa Borgerding and family, Jim (Kinzie) Borgerding, Jill Borgerding, and Jodee Borgerding.

A memorial fund has been established to the Frankfort Community Care Home or Meadowlark Hospice. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary.