Dessa Phares

Biography

Dessa Frances Phares passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at Chase County Community Hospital in Imperial. She was 93 years old.

Dessa was born on July 4, 1914, in Hayes County, Nebraska, to Logan Marion and Della Grace (DuVall) Richter. She graduated from Hayes Center High School in 1930 and attended the University of Nebraska receiving her formal training certificate. She also attended McCook Junior College. Dessa taught school in various rural schools in Hayes County for several years.

On July 18, 1937, she married Harley LeRoy Phares at her parent's home in Hayes County. To this union three daughters were born. They moved to Ogden, Utah shortly after their marriage where Harley was employed with the Civil Service. They returned to the Palisade community in 1946 and settled on the family farm. Dessa was a busy homemaker as well as sales associate for JC Penney. She retired in 1979, after nearly 30 years of service.

Dessa was a long time member of the Palisade United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women. She taught Sunday school and vacation bible school and served on various church committees. She was instrumental in forming the Acolyte program for the church. She was also a member of the Helping Hand Extension Club, Over the Hillers Camping Club, Builders Class and Community Service Club. She volunteered her time serving as a 4-H Leader and Girl Scout Leader. In her free time, she loved to sew, do craft work, cook and bake, and read and write poetry.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Logan and Della DuVall; husband, Harley on February 23, 2004; infant granddaughter, JoLee Ann Schutte; son-in-law, Bernie Schutte; three brothers, Homer, Merle and Raymond Richter; sisters-in-law, Mildred Richter, Sally Richter; Beth Richter, and Marie Phares; brothers-in-law, Albert and Richard Phares.

Survivors include her three daughters, DeAnna Schutte, Judy and husband, Gary Malone, and Jenene and husband, Jerry Smith, all of Palisade; one brother, Warren G. Richter and wife, Melba, of Corona, CA; one brother-in-law, Phil Phares and wife, Rita of Grant; one sister-in-law, Wilma Phares of Salem, OR; six grandchildren, Michael and wife, Leota Schutte of Seward, Michelle Schutte and Jess Duncan of Ravenna, Elizabeth and husband, Scott Susag of Scobey, MT, Christyn and husband, Justin May of Duluth, MN, Jeffrey and wife, Julie Smith of Albuquerque, NM and Matthew and wife, Jamie Smith of Gilbert, AZ; and nine great-grandchildren, Alex, Elisabeth, and Ethan Schutte, Daniel, Shania and Tristyn McCormick, Samuel and Madison Smith and Jackson Smith; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Memorials were to be given in her name to the Palisade United Methodist Church, Palisade Fire Department or Palisade Community Foundation.

Funeral services were Monday, June 16, 2008, 10:30 a.m., at the Palisade United Methodist Church with Pastor Judy Dye officiating. Burial was in the Palisade Cemetery.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook was in charge of the arrangements.