May 19, 2014
Phyllis Delores (Wah-wa-sah) Kaufholtz, 80, of Manhattan, formerly of Mayetta, passed away Tuesday, May 6 at Via Christi Village, in Manhattan.
Phyllis was born in Mayetta, on October 25, 1933, the daughter of the late Catherine C. (LaClair) and John M. Lewis. She attended school in Wahpeton, ND and also at Manhattan High School. Phyllis was married to Reece Fairchild in July of 1949, they divorced in later years. She was also married to Gerald Kaufholz in 1980 in Westmoreland, KS. They also were divorced later.
In 1948 she worked in a factory in South Carolina and Georgia, and then later in Florida as a waitress. From 1989 until 1993 she worked as a cook at the Greyhound Bus Center and for a number of years for the Manhattan Senior Citizens Center. Phyllis was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #2468 and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
Phyllis is survived by two sons, Douglas R. Fairchild, of Manhattan; Delmar T. Fairchild, of Manhattan; three daughters, Donna J. Hensley, of Mayetta; Delores K. Mulanax of Saint George; Denise R. Fairchild, of Manhattan, a sister, Peggy A. Miller, of Fort Myers, FL; as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandson and many nieces and nephews.
Those that proceeded her in death were her parents; husband, Reece Fairchild; brothers-Mervin James Lewis, James Mervin Lewis, Raymond Edward Lewis, Larry Gene Lewis, Delmar Wayne Lewis, John Harold Lewis Jr., sister, Geraldine Lewis; son, Dusti D. Fairchild; twin grandchildren, Marquita Cain Hensley and Marita Glenn Hensley; and a great-great grandson, Dominik James Fox.
Memorial donations to the Via Christi Village, 2800 Willow Grove Rd., Manhattan, Kansas. 66502
(Courtesy of Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home, Manhattan, Kan.)