Ann R. Phillips, 73, passed away April 16, 2022, at Hospice House, Hutchinson, KS. She was born January 24, 1949, in Great Bend, KS, to Virgil and Peggy (Milloway) Wilhelm.
Ann was a 1967 graduate of Otis-Bison High School, Otis, KS and went on to graduate from Salt City Business College, Hutchinson, KS. Ann was employed by The Center for Counseling and Consultation, Great Bend, KS, retiring in 2018 with over 35 years of service. She was a member of Journey Mennonite Church, South Hutchinson, KS, Hutchinson Horticulture Club, and the Reno County Volunteer Center.
She enjoyed gardening, decorating and spending fun times with friends and family, including traveling and weekly card games with special friends. She was also skilled in grooming family and neighborhood dogs and had Starbucks at the top of her list for drinks that required a predefined and orchestrated method of drinking. She loved to attend grandchildrens’ activities, shopping and took joy in spending time outdoors whether on long walks or leisurely bike rides with Jim and their dog Parker. Ann cemented lifelong friendships with her co-workers who became like family during her career as a medical transcriptionist. After retirement, Ann wore many hats and volunteered at numerous places, including the Hutchinson Fox Theatre, Volunteer Center of Reno County Friends in Action program as well as the Etc. Shop where she had such fun times with her co- workers, the ‘Linen Sisters’. She was a lovable lady with a fun sense of humor who took pride in being ‘put together’ and having her home and workspace beautifully decorated in the holidays of each season. She always brightened any gathering with her happy smile and quick wit. Ann truly valued her ‘tight-knit’ neighborhood, church, and community that she lived and participated in and could be counted on to be a team player. If there was a need, she was there to support it. She thoroughly enjoyed her various activities, but her most treasured times were when she was with her family, especially her grandkids, with whom she got so much enjoyment from and showered them with love always. Of all the things that she accomplished in her life, her most cherished roles were wife, mother, grandma, daughter, sister, and friend.
On July 19, 1969, Ann married the love of her life, James Lee Phillips, in Larned, KS and that night watched Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. They shared over 52 beautiful years of marriage.
She is survived by: her husband, Jim Phillips of Hutchinson, KS; daughter, Dana Darrah and husband Chad of Hutchinson, KS, and daughter, Nicole Beatty and husband Chad of Lawrence, KS; grandchildren, Lauren and Carter Darrah, and twins, Greyson and Liam Beatty; numerous nieces and nephews; and her lovable Westie, Parker.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Peggy Wilhelm, and brother, Duane Wilhelm.
A Celebration of Life is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, KS with Pastor Judy Miller officiating. Burial will follow in the Partridge Cemetery, Partridge, KS. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2022, with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.
To view the funeral service online, the link will be available at the end of Ann’s obituary on the Elliott Mortuary website on the day of the service beginning at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hospice & HomeCare of Reno County or Journey Mennonite Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.