Phyllis Roiger

Phyllis Maxine Roiger, 92, of Norfolk, Nebraska, and formerly of Springfield, died on Nov. 29, 2018, at Edgewood Vista in Norfolk.

Funeral service following visitation was conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3, in the Sturm Funeral Home, Springfield Chapel.  The Rev. Phil Schotzko, pastor of St. Raphael Catholic Church, officiated at the service.   Interment was in the Springfield City Cemetery.

Phyllis Maxine (Johnson) Roiger was born on Oct. 1, 1926, to Ray and Amelia(Gunderson) Johnson in Sleepy Eye. She attended Sleepy Eye Public Schools. In 1945, Phyllis was united in marriage to Aurie Lowinske and they operated the Springfield Airport for many years. The couple later divorced.  Phyllis then married Otto Roiger on May 19, 1970. Otto and Phyllis owned Drive In Liquors in Springfield. For 20 years she served as head cook at St. Raphael’s School and especially enjoyed the children. Phyllis was an avid gardener, supplying her famous dill pickles to her children. Large hibiscus flowers surrounded her garden. She enjoyed crafting, especially making angels. Phyllis was an expert seamstress, making everything from clothes, bridal attire, quilts, and recovering automobile and airplane seats. Phyllis was a member of St. Raphael Catholic Church in Springfield and the Catholic Order of Foresters.
She is survived by her children, Gary (Judi) Lowinske of Hoven, S.D., Kayla (Jim) Mertz of Norfolk, Neb., and Robert Lowinske of Springfield; six  grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; siblings,  Robert Johnson of Kimball, Dolores Priem of Park Rapids, and Charles Johnson of Waseca. Phyllis was preceded in death by her husbands, Aurie Lowinske and Otto Roiger; brothers, Lawrence and Kenneth Johnson; sisters, Mary Jane Syverson, LaVonne Dowling and Barb Hamann; and son-in-law, Roger Williams.