Phyllis Dianne Biggs, age 76, of Wilber, Nebraska (formerly of Ogallala, Nebraska) died Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, peacefully at home while in hospice care surrounded by loved ones.
Born in Alliance, Nebraska, on Feb. 27, 1947, Phyllis was the daughter of Charles and Lillabelle Grafford. She grew up in the Mullen, Nebraska, area and graduated from Mullen High School in 1965.
She continued her education at Chadron State College from 1965-1966 and then moved to Alliance.
After her first daughter, Kristi, was born in June of 1968, she and her family moved to Ogallala. Ogallala is where she met Ronald Turner and married in February 1974. After his death that same year, her second daughter, Rona, was born.
While working at the VFW, she met Paul Biggs. They married on June 16, 1978. In 1979 they welcomed her third daughter, Elaine.
Phyllis worked for 11 years in the Ogallala School lunch program from 1982-1993. In 1993 her family moved to Wilber, Nebraska, and continued working in the school lunch program there until she retired in 2010.
One of the things Phyllis treasured most in life was her family. She cherished spending time with family and made a point of visiting with siblings, nieces, nephews, and others as much as she could. Her warm smile, kind words, and profound loyalty will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
In addition to her family, Phyllis enjoyed researching and documenting family history, puzzles, games, and being a competitive card player where she loved to engage in a lively match using her sharp strategy and sense of humor at the table.
Phyllis is survived by her husband Paul Biggs; daughters Kristi Grafford of Omaha, Neb., Rona Boyd of Douglass, Kan., and Elaine (Salvador) Regalado, of Wilber, Neb.; siblings Arnold (Helen) Grafford of Lewellen, Neb., Tom (Kathy) Grafford of Keystone, Neb., John Grafford of Sutherland, Neb., and Nora (Steve) Deaver of Holyoke, Colo.; eight grandchildren M’Kailalyn (Lindsay), Grant, Kayleigh, Kennedy, Gavin, Ethan, Abygail and JT; plus three bonus grandchildren Lizzie, Miranda and Brody. She also held a special place in her heart for every one of her nieces and nephews and their families.
Welcoming her to heaven are her parents Charles and Lillabelle Grafford, father and mother-in-law Paul Sr. and Lucille Biggs, sister Sue George, brother-in-laws Roger Biggs and Ron Lightner, sister-in-law Mary Jean Lightner, granddaughter Lilliana Regalado and nephew Tyrel Grafford.
The funeral service was Oct. 20, 2023, at Draucker Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Mark Baldwin of Paxton United Methodist Church officiating. Internment took place in the Ogallala Cemetery.
Rest in peace, Phyllis. You have left a lasting impact on those who knew and loved you. Your presence in our lives will be greatly missed, but we’ll always remember and love you.
Online condolences may be left at www.drauckerfh.com.