Phyllis Pauline Dills (Baker) died peacefully at home on Wednesday March 1, 2017 in McKinleyville, California. She was 80.

Phyllis was born in Aitkin County, Minnesota on April 19, 1936 to Gene (Bob) and Iva Baker and lived a farm-life with her grandparents, Olaf and Lena Baker. When she was sixteen, Phyllis moved to Sumner, Washington with her father and step-mother, where she finished her education and met Bill (William) Dills, who was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. The couple came to Humboldt County to wed and start a life together. Bill resumed a job with Simpson and Phyllis took a bookkeeping position with Falor’s Pharmacy in Arcata. By 1961, the couple had three children Thomas, Susan and Gerald. Phyllis enjoyed being close to her young ones by being a Room Mother, Cub Scout Den Mother, librarian (Dow’s Prairie School) and Sunday School teacher. God and family were the most important things to Phyllis. She was also a long-time member of Dow’s Prairie Grange.

Phyllis enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, beach excursions and gardening. She found great fulfillment in sharing these times with her family and friends. Lives were enriched from being with Phyllis as she shared all that she had without reservation. She loved to share what she learned from her years of farm-living (preserving food, quilting, baking). Phyllis opened her heart and home without hesitation and everyone in her life felt uniquely loved and cared-for.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents Gene Baker and Iva Moore, her grandparents Olaf and Lena Baker, In-Laws Luke and Hallie Dills, ex-husband William (Bill) Dills, sister Marcy and other relatives. She is survived by her children, Tom Dills (Mary), Suzie Blevin (Dave) and Gerald Dills (Sally), several brothers and sisters; Jim, Gaylen, Sharon, Maxine, Marlene, Gladys, Gordon, Glen; Grandchildren Kevin, Nate, Julie, Jeffery, Tyler, Bethanne and Russell; eight great-grandchildren.

Phyllis will be remembered for her love of God, family, friends, kind smile and gentle ways. The family would like to thank the staff at Ida Emmerson and Hospice of Humboldt for their help and services.

A private funeral service will be held by the family, but everyone is invited and welcome to attend a Celebration of Life held at her home church, McKinleyville Baptist, located on School Road near Hwy 101 on Wednesday, March 8 at 1:00pm.

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The obituary above was submitted by Phyllis’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.