Phyllis "Pat" Lauber

Phyllis “Pat” Lauber, 90, Fargo, formerly of Mandan, passed away January 14, 2024. Mass of Christian burial will be held 11:30 a.m. Monday, January 22 at Christ the King, 505 10^th Ave NW, Mandan.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. A rosary/vigil service will begin at 4 p.m.

Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Phyllis was born at Trinity Hospital in Jamestown. She was raised on a farm near Fried, ND. Her family moved into Jamestown during hard times and she graduated from the eighth grade at St. John’s Academy.

She married the love of her life, Francis Lauber, on September 19, 1949. She worked many jobs in Jamestown, including managing the Cottage Inn which served banquets for the Parkway Café. One, was serving a campaign meal for JFK while in Jamestown during his presidency campaign. She also worked at Montgomery Wards until the railroad closed. Francis and Phyllis moved to Mandan, where she continued to work at Montgomery Wards in Bismarck until her retirement. While residing in Mandan, they joined a square dance class where they traveled to various states and made many lifelong friends.   

She is survived by her daughter, Julie (Lynn) Kjelshus; daughter-in-law, Diane (Paul) Nieuwsma; six grandchildren, Travis (Stacy), Torry, Tim Kjelshus, Teresa (Nate) Johnson, Traci (Tim Doll) and Jami (Todd Taylor); nine great-grandchildren, Madilyn and Lauren Kjelshus, Landan Johnson, Riley and Regan Taylor, Zola Mae, Haydyn, Danyka, and Donavan Doll; step-granddaughter, Nicole Patrick, and her children, Tjaden and Jazmyn Smith, JayLynn and Jaxon Patrick; sister, Dorothy (Ralph) Muscha; and brother, Gene (Mona) Maluski.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis; her parents; one sister; one brother; and her son, James.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Ethos Hospice, Fargo.