Phyllis Eveline Harrell, age 92, of Stronghurst, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at The Bickford Assisted Living Center in Burlington, Iowa. She was born August 5, 1933 in Moline, Illinois, the daughter of Saul and Minnie Engstrom Anderson. On October 1, 1960, she married George R. Harrell in the Andover, Illinois Lutheran church.
Phyllis was a 1951 graduate of Orion High School, a 1954 graduate of the Moline Lutheran School of Nursing, and a 1959 graduate of Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. She began her career as a registered nurse in Los Angeles, later in Florida, and then as an instructor at the Lutheran Hospital in Moline. After her marriage, and starting her family, she began working for Dr. Bock at his Stronghurst clinic. She also worked for a short time at Burlington Memorial Hospital, establishing curriculum for the maternal and child health program for the hospital’s nursing students. In 1972, she was hired as the Program Coordinator for Southeastern Community College, where she started the school’s associate degree nursing program. She retired from that position is August of 1993.
After her retirement, she spent the majority of her time devoted to her grandchildren, whom she adored and was very proud of. She also could be found at the Bethel Lutheran Church or Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab volunteering her time or serving on committees. She also had a passion for caring for elderly friends and family members. Family and friends could always count on her for answering health care questions and helping to navigate their own health care needs.
She was a member of the Steering Committee for the founding of the Iowa Organization for Advancement of Associate Degree Nursing and served on the board of directors. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma where she held several officer positions and recruited several local members. She also was an active member of the Stronghurst Bethel Lutheran Church, serving on the church councils, and volunteering many hours.
Survivors include her husband, George, one daughter, Karen (Brad) Davis, two sons, Jay Harrell and Larry Harrell, all of Stronghurst, four grandchildren, Emily (Danny) Headley of Alma, IL, Macy (David Fluno) Davis of Danville, IL, Justin (Jilian) Davis of Biggsville, IL and Erica Harrell Sprout of Stronghurst, and four great grandchildren, Calvin Rodeffer, Charles Headley, Aiden Sprout and Callie Sprout. Phyllis also has two great granddaughters that are expected to arrive in September and October. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Marjorie Harrell.
Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Friday July 10, 2026 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m Saturday, July 11th at the Bethel Lutheran Church, with Quentin Peterson and Father Lee Brokaw officiating. Burial will follow in the Stronghurst Cemetery. Memorials have been established for Bethel Lutheran Church, Oak Lane Nursing and Rehab and Oakwood Estates Assisted Living Center in Stronghurst, and Bickford Assisted Living of Burlington, IA.
Please visit Mrs. Harrell’s obituary at banksandbeals.com to leave a condolence.
