Phyllis Catherine Kroetsch (nee: Niehaus), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2026, at the age of 92 years.

Left to cherish Phyllis’s memory are her daughters, Paulette (Ray) Garrett of Edmonton, Jennifer (Lorne) Albers of Heisler, and her son, Mark (Cassandra) Kroetsch of Daysland; 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.  She is also lovingly remembered by many nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.

Phyllis was predeceased by her beloved husband of many years, Leander Kroetsch; her daughter, Bernadette; her sons, Richard and Alan; her grandson Matthew; and her parents, John and Marie Niehaus.

Born to John and Marie Niehaus, Phyllis was blessed with a large, close-knit family, she was predeceased by all of her siblings; Rita Badry, Genevieve Froehler, Henry Niehaus, Dorothy Orr, Michael Niehaus, Patricia (Pat) Loesch, Leander Niehaus, Gilbert Niehaus, and George Niehaus. Over the years, she lovingly said goodbye to each of them, eventually becoming the last surviving member of her immediate family.  Though she deeply missed them all, she treasured the memories they shared, the values they instilled in her, and looked forward with faith to the day they would all be reunited.

On August 15, 1955, Phyllis married the love of her life, Leander.  Together they built a life on the family farm near Heisler, where they lovingly raised their six children.  Their home was one rooted in faith, hard work, hospitality, and unconditional love.

Throughout their life, Phyllis found great joy in growing flowers and plants.  From tending the small greenhouse on the family farm in her younger years to lovingly caring for the flowers at Providence Place, gardening brought her peace and happiness.  She had a remarkable ability to bring beauty wherever she lived, and her flowers became a reflection of her gentle and caring spirit.

Another of Phyllis’s greatest gifts was her beautiful singing voice.  She loved to sing and was especially proud to use that gift in church, praising God through music.  Even in her later years, she continued to sing whenever she could, bringing joy and comfort to those around her.

Above all else, Phyllis was a woman of deep and unwavering Catholic faith.  Her faith was the foundation of her life.  It carried her through times of great happiness and sustained her through unimaginable sorrow, including the heartbreaking loss of three of her children.  Through it all, she trusted in God’s plan and found strength in prayer.

After she and Leander moved to Providence Place in Daysland, Phyllis continued to brighten the lives of everyone around her.  She was known for her warm smile, kind heart, beautiful flowers, joyful singing, and quiet acts of kindness.

Phyllis leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, compassion, and perseverance.  She taught her family to trust in God, to care deeply for one another, and to find joy in life’s simple blessings.  Her life was a testament to quiet strength, steadfast faith, and unconditional love.

Phyllis will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her unwavering faith, her beautiful singing voice, and the joy she found in nurturing flowers and caring for those she loved.  Her life was a blessing to all who knew her, and her memory will continue to bloom in the hearts of her family for generations to come.

Though her family mourns her passing, they rejoice in the promise of the Resurrection and find comfort in knowing she is now reunited with her beloved Leander, her children Bernadette, Richard, and Alan, her grandson Matthew, her parents, her brothers and sisters, and all those who have gone before her in faith.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

May she rest in the peace of Christ.

Mass of Christian Burial for Phyllis Kroetsch will be held at 11:15 am on Friday July 10, 2026 at Our Lady of the Prairies Catholic Church in Dayland, Alberta.

A time of fellowship and refreshments will take place in the Church Hall immediately following the Mass.

Memorial donations in Phyllis's memory can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Providence Place c/o Daysland & District Aging in Place Foundation or a Charity of Donor's choice.