Phyllis J. Furnas

Phyllis Jean (Snyder) Furnas was born February 23, 1925 (her sunrise), to Joseph and Leila (Burley) Snyder in Auburn, Nebraska. She grew up attending St. Joseph Catholic Church in Auburn and attended the Catholic school until it burned down, she then went to Auburn Public Schools.

On January 27, 1944, Phyllis was united in marriage to Lowell D. Furnas. They made their home in Brownville, Nebraska and would be blessed with three children, Angela, Diana, and Joe.

Phyllis had left school early in life to assist her mother with raising her two nieces. After her own children were in school, she started working at the Danny Dare sewing factory in Auburn, not retiring until after 32 years with the company.

Phyllis always had a large garden and canned the produce that was not eaten right away or shared with others. She was a great cook, and her family fondly remembers her dinner rolls and noodles. An avid reader, Phyllis also enjoyed watching her shows on TV, such as “The Lawrence Welk Show”, “Dancing with the Stars”, and “Wheel of Fortune”.

After her husband Lowell passed away in 2011, Phyllis continued to live in their home in Auburn for many years. As her health declined, she moved in with her daughter and son-in-law Angela and Shelby.

Experiencing an acute health issue, Phyllis was admitted to the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn. It was there, with family around her, she experienced her sunset on Monday, November 17, 2025, having reached 100 years, 8 months, and 25 days of age. In addition to her husband and her parents, Phyllis is predeceased by her brother Melvin, daughter and son-in-law Diana and Gary Oldfield, and great-granddaughter Tesla Davis.

Among those who mourn her passing but celebrate her life are her daughter and son-in-law Angela and Shelby Bennett of Auburn; son Joseph Furnas of Nebraska City; 5 grandchildren; many, many great- and great-great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, November 22, 11:00 a.m. at Hemmingsen Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery at Brownville. Visitation will be Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.