Phyllis Morrissey

Phyllis Morrissey, 93, passed away on May 8, 2025.

A celebration of Phyllis’s life will be held at Eastgate Funeral Home, 2302 E. Divide Ave, Bismarck, ND, on Tuesday, May 13th at 12:30 PM.

Visitation will be held one hour prior.

Burial will be held at 2:00 PM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Phyllis Lizetta Kalweit Morrissey, 93, of Bismarck, ND, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2025.

Phyllis was born December 1, 1931, in Bismarck to Martha (Kobs) and Otto Kalweit. She was raised in New Salem, where she graduated with the Class of 1949. After moving to Bismarck, she married Milo Lewis in 1951, and together they had one son, Terry Lewis (1954–2023).

In 1963, Phyllis married her second husband, Phillip Donovan Morrissey (1928–2025). They shared 62 loving years of marriage until Phillip’s passing earlier this year.

Phyllis had a strong work ethic and a diverse career. She spent 25 years working at General Tire and Rubber on Main Street in Bismarck, followed by 15 years at A.W. Lucas & Co. In 1980, she began raising parakeets and canaries, which led her to own and operate “The Bird House” in Bismarck, where she concluded her professional career with her retirement in 2009 at the age of 78.

Among her proudest achievements was her time as a Cub Scout leader, a role she held for 12 years. In 1971, she was honored with the Baden-Powell Award for her dedicated service. Phyllis always had a special place in her heart for children and took great joy in nurturing young minds.

Phyllis was a multi-talented woman with a keen eye for detail. She was known for her creativity and dedication to completing every project to the highest standard. She was an exceptional cook, baker, artist, and crocheter, and brought love and care to everything she touched.

She is survived by her grandson who adored and loved her deeply, James Lewis (Joshua Taylor) of Winter Haven, FL; her beloved niece, Brenda (Pat) Schmidt of Flower Mound, TX, with whom she shared a uniquely special bond and who loved her dearly; and her dependable great-nephews, Sid (Amy) Schmidt of Mandan, ND, and Jason (Kendra) Schmidt of Flower Mound, TX. She also leaves behind six great-great nieces and nephews, who will carry her love and legacy forward.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Martha and Otto Kalweit; her first husband, Milo Lewis; her second husband, Phil Morrissey; her son, Terry Lewis; and her only sister, Harriet Wanner.