Phyllis B. LaMothe

   Phyllis Borghild (Hallanger) LaMothe, 76, of Moorhead, Minnesota, died on Monday, February 3, 2020, at Eventide Senior Living Community under the care of Ethos Hospice.

   Phyllis was born to Rev. Fredrick and Alvilde (Torvik) Hallanger, on July 28, 1943, at Bekily, Madagascar, where her parents were Lutheran missionaries.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.  She attended school in Madagascar, St. Paul, Minnesota, and Jasper, Minnesota.  She graduated from Augustana College (now University), Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with a degree in social work.

   She worked as a social worker for the county in Wausau, Wisconsin, before moving to Seattle, Washington.  There she worked at Harborview Hospital.

   In January, 1973, Phyllis married Paul LaMothe. They lived in Seattle and Kent, Washington.  They retired to Tucson, Arizona.  Paul died in 2006.

   In July 2013 Phyllis moved to an assisted living apartment in Linden Tree Circle, Eventide Senior Living Community in Moorhead, MN.

   Phyllis had a kind heart and loved children, sewing, reading, good coffee, travel and sunny days.  She was interested in people’s life stories.

   Phyllis is survived by sisters:  Jane Sterrett, Portland, OR; Agnes Griffen, Bellingham, WA; Helen (Homer) Stensrud, Effie, MN; Elizabeth “Betty” Wagner, Cumming, GA; Solveig (David) Westgard, St. Paul, MN.  A brother: Harold “Chris” (Jan) Hallanger, Northwood, ND.  Sisters-in-law: Lucille Hallanger, Maplewood, MN; Maureen McGinty, Richfield, MN.  A foster daughter, Sarah and granddaughters Lani and Monica, and many nieces and nephews.

   Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; her parents; sisters, Anna and Eunice Hallanger; brothers, Fred T. Hallanger and Erling T. Hallanger.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.  Interment will be at St. Philip’s in The Hills Episcopal Church, Tucson, AZ.