Phyllus M. Pomrenke, age 86 of White, died Thursday, January 12, 2017, at the Hendricks Hospital.
Phyllus Mae was born January 14, 1930, at Akron, Iowa to Phillip and Alta (Faust) Rembe. She grew up on a farm in Preston Township, Plymouth County, Iowa. Her father passed away when she was a small child so her Uncle George Rembe was very special to her. Phyllus attended country school through the eighth grade and then attended LeMars High School in LeMars, Iowa. During high school, she worked at the local "Five and Dime". She was a proud member of the Class of 1947.
Phyllus married Edward Dommer on June 24, 1947. After their marriage they started farming near Seney, Iowa. In 1956, they bought a farm near Verdi, MN. They lived there for five years before purchasing a farm north of White, SD. In 1966, they purchased the Palace Cafe & Hotel in White and spent the next nearly 30 years operating their business on Main Street. Phyllus gave of her time and effort to all of her customers and especially enjoyed feeding the many kids who would stop by after football or basketball practice. She considered them as her own children.
Ed passed away in 1993. She continued on in the cafe until she married Earl Pomrenke on April 29, 1995. She and Earl enjoyed traveling to many different places and spent 10 years wintering in Arizona. She was happy to find a loving partner to live out her Golden years.
She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in White, where she was involved in LWML and the church choir. She also was a member of the Higgins Jessen American Legion Auxiliary, where she held many positions through out the years. While raising her children, she was active as a 4-H leader, PTA officer & White Commercial Club. She enjoyed "Big Band music from the 40"s and enjoyed ballroom dancing. Phyllus loved to entertain and host gatherings for her family. She especially enjoyed spending time with her wonderful grandchildren, great grandchildren and now one great-great grandchild who she was happy to meet in September.
She is survived by her husband: Earl of White; children: Victoria DeVries of Avondale, AZ, Dianne (Brian) Bergjord of Flandreau, Bruce (Pam) Dommer of Gillette, WY and David (Susie) Dommer of Bruce; her bonus children, Melvin Pomrenke, Glendale, AZ, Myron (Theresa) Pomrenke, White, Marlyn (Anna) Pomrenke, Belle Fouche, Vicki (Scott) Whitehead, Brookings; 12 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and her nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ed, and brother Elmer Childs.
Her funeral service was held January 16, 2017, at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church with burial in Fairview Cemetery.
Eidsness Funeral Home
