Phyliss Jean Curtis, age 81, of Washington, Iowa, passed away on Monday, September 7, 2026, at her residence under hospice care.

Celebration of life services will be held from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Unc and Neph’s in Washington, Iowa. Interment will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date. Memorials have been established for Hospice of Washington County. The Jones & Eden Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent for Phyliss’s family at www.jonesfh.com.

Phyliss was born on October 3, 1944, on her parents farm near Marion, Iowa. She was the daughter of Clyde Christian and Verna Pauline (Kee) Simonsen. Phyliss graduated from Marion High School in 1962 and later attended Business College in Cedar Rapids. She was married to Gerald C. Farris on June 14, 1966 and later married Sam Curtis.

She lived in Washington, Iowa, where she worked at McCleery Cumming Calendar Factory. Phyliss lived in Las Vegas, Nevada and later moved to Morristown, Arizona, where she did housekeeping for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Phyliss moved back to Washington in 2024 to be close to family.

She enjoyed rock hunting, panning for gold, and all arts and crafts.

Phyliss is survived by her daughter, Paula Jo Farris-McConnell of Washington, Iowa; son, Gary Chris Farris of Rhinelander, Wisconsin; stepdaughter, Jenny Curtis of Kalona, Iowa; step son, Ben Curtis of Kalona, Iowa; stepdaughter, Emily Curtis of Wellman, Iowa; grandchildren: Zach Farris, William McConnell, Blair Farris, Cameron Farris; and great grandchildren: Ezekiel, Stevie, Josephine and Greyson Farris. She is also survived by her brother, Harry Simonsen of Marion, Iowa; brother, Weaver Simonsen of Valley Center, California; sister, Narda Murphy of Williamston, Michigan; mother-in-law, Shirley Curtis of Apache Junction, Arizona; sister-in-law, Nancy Cheek of Des Moines, Iowa; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Pauline Simonsen; husband, Sam Curtis; grandson, Christian Farris; sister, Wanda Schlatter and brother-in-law, Duane Schlatter; brother-in-law, Patrick Murphy; father-in-law, Donald Curtis; brother-in-law, James Curtis and sister-in-law, Shirley Curtis.