Phyllis Ann Kokesh

Phyllis Ann Kokesh, 83, passed away Thursday, June 1, 2017 in Fountain Hills. Phyllis was born in Rochester, Minn. and grew up in Fountain and Preston, Minn. She graduated from St. Theresa’s College in Winona, Minn. and became an elementary school teacher.

Her siblings, Lud Jr. Gartner, Mike Gartner and Bill Walsh, preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister, Margaret (Mimi) Pooler and her brother, Jerome (Murph) Gartner.

Phyllis married Tom Kokesh on Aug. 25, 1962. They had four children; John Kokesh (Laura) of Mico, Texas, Katy Parato (John) of Redondo Beach, Calif., Craig Kokesh (Tiffany) of Plano, Texas, and Amy Harber (Matt) of Parker, Colo.

She was an amazing grandmother to her eight grandchildren, Ethan, Matthew, Mason, Kyle, Charles, Natalie, Josephine and Samuel. She and Tom lived in Rochester, Minn., Fountain Hills, and spent a few years in Kuching, Malaysia. They enjoyed traveling together. Phyllis was a kind soul who connected to people in a special way. She will be dearly missed by friends and family all over the world.

Funeral Mass arrangements at the Church of the Ascension, Fountain Hills, are pending.