Phyllis (Lawrence) Skoglund passed away on April 22, 2026, at the age of 86.
She was born on April 1, 1940, in Fairfax, Missouri, to Charles and Dorothy Lawrence. Later in life, she was surprised to welcome a much younger brother, Dale Lawrence, a story she always carried with her.
From a young age, she had a love for animals and the outdoors. She especially enjoyed riding horses as a girl, something that stayed close to her heart throughout her life.
She graduated from Graham High School in 1958, and went on to graduate from Northwest Missouri State University with her teaching degree. On June 1, 1958, she married Loray Skoglund in Graham, Missouri, beginning a lifelong partnership built on love and family.
She spent her life doing what she truly cared about, teaching. She taught in Tarkio, Kearney, Nodaway-Holt and the St. Joseph Co-Cathedral before spending most of her career as an elementary school teacher in the St. Joseph School District. She made a lasting impact on many students over the years.
Outside of work, she stayed active in her community as a member of the Preceptor Epsilon Eta chapter of Beta Sigma Phi for 25 years. She especially enjoyed volunteering her time, including helping to call bingo, something she had a lot of fun doing, bringing joy and connection to others.
Her greatest joy, though, was her family. She loved cooking and baking cookies and cakes for them, playing games (especially pitch), and making memories on family vacations to Table Rock Lake. She had a way of bringing people together and making those around her feel at home.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Loray Skoglund; and her sister-in-law, Sonja Hargrave.
She is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law: David (Barbara) Skoglund of Smithville, Missouri; Bruce (Tracy) Skoglund of Barnard, Missouri; Shawn (Shannon) Skoglund of Barnard, Missouri; six grandchildren: Jaclyn, Jennifer, Dustin (Heather), Kirk, Erynn (Noah), and Emily (Andriy); five great-granddaughters: Harlyn, Rian, Cecily, Hazel, and Isla; brother Dale (Jo) Lawrence of St. Joseph, Missouri; brother-in-law David Hargrave of Healdsburg, California; niece Allison (Mike) of Bodega Bay, California; nieces Kristy, Rachel and nephew Jordan of St. Joseph, Missouri.
She will be remembered for her warmth, her dedication to others, and the love she shared so freely with family and friends.
Graveside Memorial Service will be held at 10am on Wednesday, April 29th at the Barnard American Legion Cemetery in Barnard, Missouri under the care of Price Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to South Nodaway R-IV or Three Oaks Hospice.
