1926
Phyllis
2017
Phyllis Osander
November 4, 1926 — February 10, 2017
Phyllis Joyce Osander, 90, Dalton, MN passed away on Friday, February 10, 2017 at Broen Home in Fergus Falls, MN.
Phyllis Joyce Maas was born November 4, 1926 on a cattle ranch near Killdeer, ND to Rose Maas and Gustav Ott. She was one of fourteen children. Due to many the hardships of that era, she was raised by her grandmother, Apolonia Warner, who became a very influential part of her life. Phyllis watched her grandmother struggle to run a ranch alone in Western North Dakota while raising Phyllis and other siblings. At a young age, she road bare back on horses standing up. She learned to rope and worked the ranch with her family. Among many other things, Phyllis learned to embrace and respect the importance of a strong work ethic which she passed down to her family.
Phyllis married Harold Schmidt in Glendive, MT. Harold was the performer of a One-Man Band Act and together they traveled throughout the Dakotas performing music at fairs and special events. The band grew and evolved into the Schmidt Family Circus that so many knew of and looked forward to the circus coming to town. Phyllis and Harold had four children: Harold Jr., Darlene, Boni and Edward. The children also became part of the circus. The Circus moved from town to town during the summer months. They would set up the big top tent with an elephant act and each of the children performed acts displaying their juggling and unicycle skills. During the winter months they lived in Watertown, SD where all of the children were raised and went to school. Phyllis was extremely proud of her four children as each graduated from college. When Phyllis and Harold divorced, Harold continued with the Schmidt Family Circus that he created. He also continued to be a large part of the lives of Phyllis and their children.
Byron Osander joined the traveling Schmidt Family Circus and provided the musical background for the circus acts. Bryon and Phyllis performed the famous Whip Act where he would hold a piece of paper between his lips and Phyllis would cut the paper with a whip. In 1963 they moved to Dalton, MN and a year later, the couple married. Jolene Osander, their daughter became part of the Circus. In the later years, the grandchildren would come and spend their summers working on the carnival. Phyllis believed in hard work and took on many roles in her life as part of the family business: she was a horse rider and roper, scheduler, money counter, ticket keeper and whip artist. The Merry Go Round gave its last ride in the summer of 2007 when Byron and Phyllis decided to retire.
Phyllis always believed in helping others that were less fortunate than her. She touched many lives through her good heart and her kindness. She will be deeply missed. Phyllis was the matriarch of our family and everyone holds special memories of her in their hearts. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. A special thank you to L.B. Broen Home and staff.
Phyllis is preceded in death by Harold Schmidt, Sr., (patriarch) and her son, Dr. Edward Schmidt. She is survived by her husband, of 52 years, Byron Osander of Dalton, MN, children: Harold Jr. (Eva Lou) Schmidt of Sioux Falls, SD, Darlene Schmidt Fortune of Fargo, ND, Boni Wolff of Portland, OR, Jolene Osander of Dalton, MN. Grandchildren: Karman (Scott) Squires, Kristin (Mark) Larson, Stephanie Stoppenhagen and Erich (Heather) Schmidt. Great-Grandchildren: Marianna, Jacob, Maria, Sarah, Josephine, Nolan and Ethan, Special friend: Winifred Mann and her dog, Milo.
Memorial Service: 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls with visitation one hour prior to the service
Clergy: Pastor Scott Squires
Spring Burial: Our Saviors Cemetery, Dalton
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson of Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com
Phyllis Joyce Maas was born November 4, 1926 on a cattle ranch near Killdeer, ND to Rose Maas and Gustav Ott. She was one of fourteen children. Due to many the hardships of that era, she was raised by her grandmother, Apolonia Warner, who became a very influential part of her life. Phyllis watched her grandmother struggle to run a ranch alone in Western North Dakota while raising Phyllis and other siblings. At a young age, she road bare back on horses standing up. She learned to rope and worked the ranch with her family. Among many other things, Phyllis learned to embrace and respect the importance of a strong work ethic which she passed down to her family.
Phyllis married Harold Schmidt in Glendive, MT. Harold was the performer of a One-Man Band Act and together they traveled throughout the Dakotas performing music at fairs and special events. The band grew and evolved into the Schmidt Family Circus that so many knew of and looked forward to the circus coming to town. Phyllis and Harold had four children: Harold Jr., Darlene, Boni and Edward. The children also became part of the circus. The Circus moved from town to town during the summer months. They would set up the big top tent with an elephant act and each of the children performed acts displaying their juggling and unicycle skills. During the winter months they lived in Watertown, SD where all of the children were raised and went to school. Phyllis was extremely proud of her four children as each graduated from college. When Phyllis and Harold divorced, Harold continued with the Schmidt Family Circus that he created. He also continued to be a large part of the lives of Phyllis and their children.
Byron Osander joined the traveling Schmidt Family Circus and provided the musical background for the circus acts. Bryon and Phyllis performed the famous Whip Act where he would hold a piece of paper between his lips and Phyllis would cut the paper with a whip. In 1963 they moved to Dalton, MN and a year later, the couple married. Jolene Osander, their daughter became part of the Circus. In the later years, the grandchildren would come and spend their summers working on the carnival. Phyllis believed in hard work and took on many roles in her life as part of the family business: she was a horse rider and roper, scheduler, money counter, ticket keeper and whip artist. The Merry Go Round gave its last ride in the summer of 2007 when Byron and Phyllis decided to retire.
Phyllis always believed in helping others that were less fortunate than her. She touched many lives through her good heart and her kindness. She will be deeply missed. Phyllis was the matriarch of our family and everyone holds special memories of her in their hearts. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. A special thank you to L.B. Broen Home and staff.
Phyllis is preceded in death by Harold Schmidt, Sr., (patriarch) and her son, Dr. Edward Schmidt. She is survived by her husband, of 52 years, Byron Osander of Dalton, MN, children: Harold Jr. (Eva Lou) Schmidt of Sioux Falls, SD, Darlene Schmidt Fortune of Fargo, ND, Boni Wolff of Portland, OR, Jolene Osander of Dalton, MN. Grandchildren: Karman (Scott) Squires, Kristin (Mark) Larson, Stephanie Stoppenhagen and Erich (Heather) Schmidt. Great-Grandchildren: Marianna, Jacob, Maria, Sarah, Josephine, Nolan and Ethan, Special friend: Winifred Mann and her dog, Milo.
Memorial Service: 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls with visitation one hour prior to the service
Clergy: Pastor Scott Squires
Spring Burial: Our Saviors Cemetery, Dalton
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson of Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com
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