Phyllis K. Fairbanks

      Phyllis K. Fairbanks, age 67, of Bemidji, MN, died Friday, October 8, 2004 at her home. Interment was in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Red Lake, MN.

      Casket bearers were Anthony Fairbanks, Patrick Fairbanks, Jon Fairbanks, Daniel Fairbanks, Jude Fairbanks, Shane Fairbanks, Jesse Fairbanks, and Daryl Kehler.

      Phyllis Katherine Jordan was born and raised on a farm in Bay Lake Township near Brainerd, MN. Because of her father's health, the family moved to Caldwell, Idaho. They returned to Brainerd during her freshman year in high school. She graduated from Brainerd High School in 1955 and then went to college at St. Catherine's School of Nursing in St. Paul, MN. She graduated in 1958 and worked at St. Mary's Hospital in Minneapolis and then at St. Joseph's Hospital in Brainerd, MN. Her father, Philip, mother Catherine, and brothers James, Patrick, and Robert preceded her in death. She has two older sisters living: Darlene Watson, of Brainerd, and Luella Mustenon of Jacksonville, Florida. She is survived by her seven children: Anthony, Patrick, Daniel, Jon, Bridget, Jude, Bernadette, and her husband of 45 years, Mickey. Her grandchildren number thirteen. They are Shane, Jessee, Jennifer, Katherine, Kristy, Tara, Nicholas, Alexandria, Jerimiah, Michael Jude (LJ), Kylie Rae, Jalen (AJ), and Alina Rose. Her youngest daughter Bernadette will give birth to make it fourteen grandchildren in May 2005.

      Phyllis was married to Michael (Mickey) on January 31, 1959 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd, MN. Father Florian Fairbanks celebrated the wedding mass and married them. He was the uncle of the groom. They were married for over 45 years. After the marriage Phyllis worked as a registered nurse in Little Falls, MN at St. Gabriell's Hospital while her husband worked as a police officer, after moving from Springfield, Oregon where she worked at the local hospital as a registered nurse. Later they moved to St. Louis Park, MN and she worked as a nurse at the Golden Valley Hospital while her husband worked as a police officer and police detective in Edina, MN. While there she was also the Director of the nursing home in St. Louis Park for a period of time. In 1969 her husband then became employed with the U.S. Government, U.S. Dept. of Interior, BIA, and was then stationed at Red Lake, MN, Ashland, Wisconsin, Carson City, Nevada, Sault St. Marie, MI, Browning, MT, Pine Ridge, SD, and Minneapolis, MN in the Law Enforcement and Administrative Field. She gave up her nursing career to become a full time mother of her seven children. She always remarked that she loved every place that she and her husband lived because it was home. She made many friends in all of the locations she lived. After retirement Mickey and Phyllis lived at Red Lake, MN and finally Bemidji, MN. During their travels she was always active in Catholic Church functions and services, especially in the Curseuiel Movement. She also served as a Eucharist Minister and Reader at Holy Mass while she and her husband and children lived on the Blackfeet and Pine Ridge Indian (Lakota) Reservations in Montana and South Dakota. She was very active and participated in the traditional and spiritual customs of the local Indian Tribes and the Plains Indians. Phyllis loved and nurtured her seven children to the fullest extent a mother could. When the grandchildren were born, that love multiplied a hundred fold. Her life and the example she set soon became the spiritual love and devotion for herself, family, and friends, mingled with her personal faith, hope, and love in The Blessed Trinity. During the latter years of her life she became stricken with cancer. These years she suffered much but seldom displayed the pain and agony she endured. Her faith, hope, and love in The Blessed Trinity and the Blessed Virgin never once waivered. She never uttered a complaint about the cross she bore. She often remarked, "I accept what God has chosen for me, but I do ask him to ease the pain once in a while." She wrote, "Children and grandchildren, never lose faith in our Heavenly Father. God, Jesus, and Mary have gotten me through many tough times. Always believe." She said and wrote these words on August 18, 2004 after her fourth cancer surgery. She concluded by saying, "I look forward to my new heavenly body. When you look in the casket, remember, that isn?t me. I'm with God - new body, no pain and I look forward to when we are all together again. Hugs and all my love Phyl, Mom, and Grandma (Nana)."

      She is survived by her husband Mickey Fairbanks of Bemidji; sons Anthony (Deanna) Fairbanks, Duluth, MN, Patrick Fairbanks, New Mexico, Daniel Fairbanks, Bemidji, Jon (Angel) Fairbanks, Coon Rapids, MN, and Jude (Tudy) Fairbanks, Brooklyn Park, MN; daughters Bridget (Anthony) Johnson, South Carolina and Bernie (Daryl) Kehler, Waseca, MN; 13 grandchildren.

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