Phyllis DeCann

Phyllis DeCann, age 90 of Osakis passed away on Monday, September 16, 2019 at the Galeon in Osakis, MN.

On May 1, 1929 a daughter was born to Joseph and Jessie (Lamb) Gaslin in Minneapolis, MN.  Phyllis was united in marriage to Edmund ‘Duke’ DeCann on June 11, 1946 in Osakis, MN.  They made their home in Omaha, NE for time where Phyllis worked as a bank teller.  They returned to Osakis when Duke started a construction business called DeCann Quality Construction.  Phyllis did all of the bookkeeping for the business.  Over the years the DeCann’s owned and operated many businesses including laundromats in Osakis, Alexandria and Glenwood, and a sixteen unit apartment complex in Osakis.  For a time, they also owned and operated the Empress Theatre in Osakis.  Phyllis also used her bookkeeping skills to manage the pull-tab booths for the Osakis VFW Post #7902, the Walleye Lodge and the Municipal Liquor Store.

Phyllis had a giving heart and donated many years and untold hours as a volunteer for various local organizations, such as the Osakis VFW and CMH Auxiliaries, the local Girl Scouts (serving as troop leader and taking the girls numerous outings and camping trips), and in her later years at the Osakis Visitor Center and for the Elder Network.    If help was needed for any project, Phyllis could be counted on to give her all.  She was also an active member of the Immaculate Conception parish and belonged to the Christian Mothers group.  Phyllis volunteered for a variety of church activities and worked many funeral lunches over the years.

Phyllis had many interests and hobbies, including sewing, cooking and baking.  She valued her many friendships and the time they spent socializing over hot cups of coffee.   Her loyalty to family, friends and the town of Osakis was a model for all.  Blessed be her memory.

Left to mourn her passing is her son and daughter-in-law, Jay (Wendy) DeCann of Fargo, ND; 5 grandchildren, Becky (John) Mercado, Jessie Yurczyk, Heidi Kienitz, Shelby and Josh DeCann; 11 great grandchildren, Mitchell and Amanda Anderson, Andrea (Ryan) Engelmeyer, Marie, Jake and Luke Yurczyk, Kaylynn and Rhiley Kienitz, Loren Buggert, Cameron and Adriane Mercado.

Ready to greet her are her parents, her husband, Duke (2010), two daughters, Jeanne Lynn Kienitz and an infant daughter, Jeanne; siblings, Leslie and Eugene Gaslin, Marjorie LaCroix

A Mass of Resurrection will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at 11:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Church in Osakis with Fr. Dave Petron officiating.  Interment is at the Calvary Cemetery in Osakis with honorary bearers the Osakis VFW Auxiliary.  Active bearers are Josh & Shelby DeCann, Becky Mercado, Jessie Yurczyk, Heidi Kienitz, Mitchell and Amanda Anderson.  Visitation begins at the church one our prior to the funeral Mass.

Arrangements by the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN.