Phyllis E. Schindel

Phyllis E. Schindel, 91, of Sioux City, passed away Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Bickford Assisted Living of Cedar Falls with family at her side. After an extended and courageous battle with dementia, it is comforting to know that she is now at peace.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. A funeral mass will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Mater Dei Parish – Nativity Catholic Church in Sioux City. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Phyllis Schindel was born December 17, 1933, in Deer Creek, MN. She was the daughter of Ferd and Susan (Schiltz) Arens. Phyllis graduated from Merrill High School.

She met the love of her life and was united in marriage to Willard Schindel on January 9, 1954. After living a few years in Sioux Falls, the family moved to Sioux City in 1960. Phyllis was a stay-at-home mother for several years and then had a long career and retired from the Sioux City Community Schools Food Service Department.

Phyllis loved spending time with her family and friends. She truly enjoyed the holidays and spent many hours decorating her house for the occasions. Christmas was a special time for Phyllis and she baked candy and cookies for weeks in advance of this special holiday and had boxes prepared for her children and grandchildren with their favorites to take home and enjoy. She loved gardening, cooking for family gatherings, and playing cards with family and friends.

Survivors include her children, Karen (Mike) Nolting of South Sioux City, Connie (Jim) Schuver of West Bend, IA, and Doug (Judy) Schindel of Cedar Falls, IA; grandchildren, Justin (Sheila), Jason, Jennifer (Jeremy), Jeremy (Traci), Christine, Joshua (Jessica), Michael (Samantha), and Matthew (Bailey); great-grandchildren, Karlie, Kellen, Averie, Grace, Grant, Kylee, Carter, Caden, Shea, Miles, Beckett and Maren; and great-great-grandchild, Ajla, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Willard, parents, Ferd and Susan Arens, and siblings Sylvester (Francis) Arens, Roman (Lucille) Arens, Esther (Mel) Larson, Mildred (Carl) Colling, Viola (Doyle) Niehus, Dolores (Don) Larson, and Bonnie (Lawrence) Piquette.

The family prefers no donations and requests that you keep Phyllis in your thoughts and prayers.