Phyllis Ann Flick, 94, of Bismarck, passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2026.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Monday, June 29, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 3117 E Century Ave, Bismarck. Family will greet visitors one hour prior to the service.

Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Phyllis Ann Burner was born in Fargo, ND, on June 21, 1932, the longest day of the year, to Carl and Louise (Knudson) Burner. Fond memories were made growing up in West Fargo, where she made lifelong friends. The twenty-three members of the 1950 West Fargo Packers graduating class remained close throughout their adult lives.

Phyllis was the 1949 Homecoming Queen, and she was escorted by the co-captain of the football team, her honey Duane, whom she met in the second grade. They married on July 21, 1951, after Duane finished his Navy boot camp and before he had to complete further training. He couldn’t wait to share his life forever with Phyllis. They enjoyed two years together stationed in San Diego with their dear hometown friends. Duane professed his love for her in hundreds of treasured letters he wrote her while serving on the ship during the Korean Conflict. It was truly a love story that continued for the next 64 years.

They created wonderful memories with family and friends at her family’s cabin on Middle Cormorant Lake in Minnesota. In later years, they purchased their own cabin on Brush Lake, where Phyllis could be found watering her flowers, trees and shrubs. They loved to host family and friends, and if you were lucky, you were treated with Phyllis’ special tacos and enchiladas. They were deemed some of the best.

At age 50, Duane purchased a Golden Wing motorcycle, and for years they explored through the United States and Canada. Phyllis loved riding on the back of the cycle with her arms wrapped around her sweetie. They usually ended the day with a stop for dancing. They were excellent dancers, Duane gliding her around the dance floor at the Elks, Midnighters Dance Club and, most memorably, at the cabin on Middle Cormorant. There, the rugs were pulled back, the furniture moved against the wall and the dancing began through the wee hours of the night.

As members of the Bismarck Optimists Club, Phyllis and Duane helped build the playground in Medora, as well as planting thousands of flowers there over the years in the spring. Phyllis started working for Gate City Bank in Fargo in the 1950s. She retired in the 1990s as branch manager at what was then the new Gateway Gate City Bank. She was so proud of that accomplishment. 

Her greatest gift was her family. She was so proud of them, and they brought so much joy to her heart—from her children and their spouses, to her special grandchildren and her precious great-grandchildren. Phyllis was a devoted caregiver to Duane in his final years until his passing in 2015.

The following years she met treasured friends, Mabel and LuVina, for their weekly adventures to the casino. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren kept her busy with travels to Washington and Montana, as well as Medora. She attended recitals, sporting events, concerts and many other activities. She worked in her yard and spent hours watering her flowers.

She was able to stay in her own home until she was 91. Her age snuck up on her and her memory started to fade. She moved into Edgewood Village in August of 2023. There she smiled, laughed and winked her way through her final chapter, and she will be so missed.

Phyllis is survived by her oldest son, Ron (Janet), and their family: daughter Summer (Mark) and their children, Piper and Bennett; son Josh (Ani) and their children, Hendrix and Harlow; son Cole (Missy) and their children, Madison and Marley. Phyllis’ daughter Nancy (Joe Woodmansee) and their family: daughter Mandy and her daughter, Joey Jean; son Brian (Lindsay) and their children, Bradley and Lucy. Phyllis’ youngest son, Dan (Doreen), and their family: daughter Jessica and her children, Justice, Julian, SaviourRay and Charming; daughter Amber (Eric) and their daughter, Zada.

Phyllis is also survived by her sister, Sharon Christiansen (Larry), and Duane’s brother, David Flick (Lynette), all of West Fargo, as well as many special nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Duane; parents, Carl and Louise Burner; brother, Milton Burner; and sister, Bev Lee.

Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the kind and compassionate care she received from all the staff at Edgewood Village, especially those who so lovingly cared for her in Memory Care for the past few years. Also, a heartfelt thank you to CaringEdge Hospice for their compassionate care.

If you choose, please have memorials made to North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, 1825 46th St., Mandan, ND 58554, in honor of Phyllis and Duane’s final resting place.