Phillis Ann (Schmitz) Bentson was born on October 12, 1940 to Clarance and Mary (Darcy) Schmitz. She grew up in Bonesteel SD where she attended Bonesteel High School and graduated in 1958. Phillis later attended Springfield College earning her teaching certificate.

She taught 3rd grade in Gregory SD for one-year, and worked with Head Start in Eldora, Iowa, and Bonesteel, South Dakota. She later became the Business Manager for the Bonesteel School District, where she served until her retirement.

Phillis was united in marriage to the love of her life and high school sweetheart, Ronald Bentson, on May 28, 1960. To this union four children were born: Rhody (Velda) Bentson, Jody (Kelly) Bailey, Tracy (Leonard) Reiser and Julie (Jason) Semmler. She was blessed with sixteen grandchildren and thirty-seven great-grandchildren.

Phillis was called home on February 4th, 2026, she was a devoted member of Zion Lutheran Church and had very strong, unwavering faith. One pastor said ‘there is a special place in heaven for you’ and we truly believe this. Word is, he may have said that because of all the years she lovingly put up with Ronnie.

She loved being outdoors and could find her mowing yards throughout the town. She walked nearly everywhere she went until her health declined and retired from mowing the Bonesteel Cemetery at the age of 81. Phillis spent many days cutting, splitting and stacking wood with her chainsaw for their woodstove. She will lovingly be remembered by her children for snow day cinnamon rolls.

In her later years, Phillis enjoyed watching her great-grandchildren participate in sporting events and dance recitals and attending numerous birthday celebrations. She rarely missed Brooklyn and Brycen Bailey’s rodeo events.

Grateful and blessed to have shared her life is her husband of 65 years, Ronald “Ronnie” of Bonesteel, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, six siblings: Bill (Elda) Schmitz, Tammy Mahaffey, Rose (Jim) Selle, Norbert (Karen) Schmitz, Victor (Leanna) Schmitz, Rick (Jane) Schmitz, numerous nieces, nephews, honorary grandchildren and friends. Phillis was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Mike, great-grandson, Kaden Paulson, and her brother-in-law Bob Mahaffey.

I do not and will not fear tomorrow because I feel as though today has been enough…Zach Bryon

Graveside memorial services for Phillis Bentson, age 85, of Bonesteel, SD will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Rosebud Cemetery in Bonesteel.