Phyllis D. (Madsen) Brennan

Phyllis D. (Madsen) Brennan

December 16, 1928 – November 28, 2023

Phyllis Darlene Madsen Brennan was born on December 16, 1928, to Ole Jessen Madsen and Nettie Marie Morrice Madsen in Battlecreek, Iowa. She later moved to Correctville, IA, and attended school there until she graduated from Correctionville High School in 1946.  

During her senior year of high school, she began her job at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company as a switchboard operator. She continued as a long distance operator and service observer for twenty years. She worked in Correctionville and Sioux City, IA, Long Beach, CA, and Omaha, NE. 

She was a member of the Pioneers Club for Northwestern Bell Omaha. She was also a member of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic, IA. 

On May 14, 1976 (the spirit of ’76), she married Marcus Brennan in Columbus, NE. She acquired a ready-made family of four, Jim, Pat, Tom, and Mary Jane. After retiring in July of 1979, she and Mark would begin going south to spend six months a year with their camper in Texas. 

They stayed in many different cities and parks while meeting wonderful friends, who they stayed in touch with over the years. During the summer months, they would camp in local parks. Occasionally, a grandchild or two would spend the night. 

Phyllis’ husband, Mark, died on November 18, 2013. Soon after, she sold their house and moved to Fountainview Retirement Center. She enjoyed many activities there. She then moved to Primrose Senior Retirement Community in Council Bluffs. Due to a fall, Phyllis then moved to a nursing home for rehab for a broken shoulder, and then went on hospice because of her failing health. 

On November 22, 2023, she moved in with Mary Jane and husband, Mark, where she enjoyed the last few days of her life. She died peacefully on November 28, 2023. 

Preceded in death by her husband, Marcus; mother and father, Ole and Nettie Madsen; brothers, Carl, Alvin, and Arlo; grandson, David Coffin; sons, Jim, Pat, and Tom Brennan. 

She is survived by daughter, Mary Jane (Mark); daughters-in-law, Jan, Cecilia and Donna Brennan; grandchildren: Ricky Hendricks and Sarah Solano (Payton), Eric (Stephanie) Brennan, Carrie (Dan) Langfeldt, Tony (Sarah) Brennan, Kimberlee (JT) Cash; 8 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and friends. Phyliss loved Mary Jane’s dog, Jake.

Visitation : Friday, December 01, 2023,  4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the West Center Chapel, 7805 W. Center Road with a Vigil following at  6:30 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday,  December 2, 2023, 10:00 a.m., Corpus Christi/Queen of the Apostles Church, 3304 4th Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA.

Memorials will be directed by the Family.