Phyllis L. (Gregg) Smith 

 Phyllis L. (Gregg) Smith 

April 6, 1935 to September 13, 2023

Phyllis L (Gregg) Smith, age 88, of Bellevue, Nebraska, peacefully passed away on September 13, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born at home on the family’s farm near Oakland, Iowa, to parents Kenneth and Frances (Schroeder) Gregg on April 6, 1935.  Phyllis began her life long love of reading, learning and education by attending country school and high school in Oakland, Iowa, and received a Bachelor’s Degree from Iowa State Teachers College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

While working summers in Omaha, NE, as an undergraduate, Phyllis met her future husband, Arnold “Arnie” Smith.  They dated long distance while each worked towards graduating from college and obtaining teaching positions. They were married on August 25, 1956.  Phyllis taught English for Bellevue Public Schools, Omaha Public Schools and retired from Millard Public Schools. As an educator she impacted generations of students and others, with her unwavering commitment to the use of proper grammar.

Phyllis enjoyed a busy household raising five children in a home filled with love, laughter and spirited discussions, and attending family, school and athletic events.  Throughout her life she was a voracious reader from reading the classics, to best sellers and everything in between. As a retiree she enjoyed traveling, playing golf and spending time with her friends and an ever growing family.  Her grandchildren always looked forward to their special outings and time spent with her.

Phyllis is preceded in death by her husband, Arnold “Arnie” Smith; parents, Kenneth and Frances Gregg; sister, Madylon (Gregg) Anker;  mother-in-law, Marianna (Fidone) Smith; brothers-in-law; Larry Anker and Keith Racek.

She is survived by her five children: Claire (Dave) Learch, Carl (Kim) Smith, Anna (Tom) Kiscoan, Gina (Jim) Cronican, and Carmen (Kevin) Harrington; grandchildren: Nicole (Jeff) Sobetski, Matt Learch, Brent Learch, Brett (Kyndra) Smith, Courtney Smith, Jeremy (Julie Vitamvas) Kiscoan, Lindsay (Erik) Eihusen, Megan Kiscoan, Nick (Taylor McCardle) Kiscoan, James (Isha Agarwal) Cronican, Brooke (Mark) Dwornicki, Kurt (Michaela Mapes) Cronican, Joe Harrington and Mia Harrington; great-grandchildren: Charlotte Sobetski, Cameron Sobetski, Hailey Kiscoan, Joey Kiscoan, Lydia Kiscoan, Cora Kiscoan, Ethan Eihusen, Noah Eihusen, Emma Eihusen, Arnav Cronwal, Jiyo Cronwal, Malia Dwornicki, Leo Dwornicki and Marek Dwornicki; sister, Gilberta (Gregg) Racek; nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews

Phyllis’ family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Tim Malloy, Hillcrest Cottages Rehab Staff and Hillcrest Hospice Staff for the exceptional care and compassion given to our Mother and Grandmother.

VISITATION: Sunday, September 17, 2023, 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. at the West Center Chapel, 7805 W. Center Rd., followed by a FUNERAL SERVICE: at 12:30 p.m. Interment: Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Parkinson’s Foundation. To view a live broadcast of the Service, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.

2 Comments

  • Janet Rockwell Posted September 17, 2023 10:52 pm

    It was all ways a pleasure working with Phyllis; I’m sure she brought much joy and thoughtfulness to all of her family, My condolences to all the family.

  • LYNNE K ELWOOD Posted September 27, 2023 6:06 pm

    Phyllis was an excellent educator. I learned so much working with her at Millard North MS and Kiewit MS. She was a force.

Sign Guestbook

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *