Phyllis Sammon

Phyllis E. Sammon, age 84, of Faribault, MN passed away on Monday, April 13, 2020 at her home.

Due to restrictions with the COVID-19 virus, an open house and celebration of life will be held at a later date. Private interment will be held at Calvary Cemetery.

Phyllis, the daughter of Edwin and Blanche (Crandall) Dienst, was born on April 25, 1935 in Faribault. On January 1, 1957, Phyllis was united in marriage to William “Bill” Sammon at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Faribault. For many years she worked at Andrew’s Nursery, then later as a stay-at-home mom. Following Bill’s passing in 1988, she went back to work, and because of her love of nature, she found her passion working at Donahue’s Greenhouse.  She was very proud of her work and was embraced as part of the greenhouse "family."  She loved her job and her coworkers. She cherished her time and those relationships up to and since her retirement in 2006.  As a child, Phyllis loved horses and has numerous Championship honors in many states to prove it. She played softball, volleyball, and loved snowmobiling with Bill and all their friends every winter. But we can't forget to include the other hobbies that really define Phyllis, such as her journaling, birdwatching, playing euchre, watching the Vikings, and of course everyone knows how much her pets meant to her. There are many good stories of each and every one of the family dogs throughout the years and more recently the antics of her beloved cats.

Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Gail Jeanine (Nick) Swanson of Eagan, MN and their children, Brian Swanson and Jamie (Michael) Spaulding and their children, Arya and Lydia Spaulding; her son, Mike (Beth) Sammon of Faribault and their children, Ashley (Carl) Purfeerst and their children, Maverick and Braxton Purfeerst, and Andria Sammon (Dan Furlong); siblings, Jeanette Schmidt, Charles “Ed” Dienst, David Dienst, Janice Chappuis, Kenny (Bobbi) Dienst all of Faribault; many other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill; parents; brother, Robert Dienst; and sister, PeeWee Dickison.