"Hugh and Family, we were saddened to learn of the passing of Phyliss. We will always be grateful for the love you all gave Al and Fidel. Blessings to you and your family Hugh. May you Rest in the arms of Jesus Phyllis. Blessings, Jessey and Maria Baca Miquela Baca (Al's SIster)"
In loving memory of
Phyllis Joy Stumbo
June 9, 1934 - September 12, 2017
Phyllis Stumbo, 83, a much beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away just before 11 pm on Tuesday, September 12. Phyllis's visitation will be in Tipton from 4-7 pm on Saturday at the Fry Funeral Home, 220 E 6th St, Tipton, IA. The funeral service will be at the Fry Funeral Home at 2 pm on Sunday, after which a short graveside service will be held at Shawver Cemetery, 210th Street, Tipton, just outside of Cedar Bluff.
In lieu of flowers, loved ones may offer memorials to the Tipton Ambulance Service, 407 Lynn St., Tipton, IA 52772 (tiptonambulance@tiptoniowa.org).
Phyllis was born in Olive Hill, KY, in 1934, to parents Robert and Opal (Bailey) Ernst. Three years later, her sister, Martha Sue, was born. She was born in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains just after the Great Depression and grew up amongst the trials and tribulations of the coal industry and a nation recovering from the Great Depression. The family never thought of themselves as hardship cases, but the area certainly did not have the advantages we take for granted in Iowa today.
Phyllis married Hugh Stumbo in 1955. Over the course of their 62 years together, they lived in Kentucky, Ohio, Texas, Alaska, Georgia, Illinois, and Iowa.
Phyllis attended her first year of college in Kansas City, then graduated with a B.A. from Morehead State College in KY. She went on to earn a M.A. from The Ohio State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. A Registered Dietitian, she worked as a Research Scientist for 29 years at the University of Iowa Clinical Research Center and was known nationally and internationally for her work on nutrient databases.
Of all her roles, however, she perhaps enjoyed being grandmother best of all.
Phyllis had fallen just after voting in the school board elections at the courthouse in Tipton, Iowa, on Tuesday, September 12, 2017. She was heading onto and/or up the stairs when she fell, hitting her head, which caused traumatic brain injury. She lost consciousness before the ambulance pulled out of town, which she never regained. Within 9 hours, surrounded by loved ones, she passed.
She will be missed dearly.
Tributes
"Phyllis was my first boss at the University of Iowa Hospitals and such a wonderful one. this started me on a positive path in life. Phyllis treated the people she supervised very well. I am so sorry to hear of her loss, but yet so happy to have made her acquaintance. "
"I am so sorry for your loss. I remember Phyllis as always smiling with an adventurous soul. She will be truly missed."
"Phyllis ,was indeed, a very special person and good friend--and good Democrat who worked tirelessly to register voters to assure that all could vote. How fitting that she had just voted and thus expressed her passion for demolcracy and good schools!"
"I am so sorry about the loss of Phyllis. She was a lovely person. I will always remember the laughter when the family got together. She will be missed."
"What a tragic loss...such a positive and inspiring lady. With her mother's DNA longevity, I always thought she would outlive us all. Phyllis was extremely devoted to her work at the University. She was instrumental in the formation of the UI SAS Users Group (UISUG) and devoted many years to its steering committee and training activities. She was very devoted to her research undertakings. She had such a positive spirit even when all did not go right. Her bright spirit and forward outlook toward life will always be remembered."
"I was a staff RN on the Clinical Research Center. Phyllis always had a beautiful smile and so full of energy! She lived life to the fullest. I loved her zest for life. Thank you for her knowledge and expertise of nutrition in the many protocols. May your personal memories help in the coming days. She was so proud of her family. God Bless."
"Dan and I wish to express our deepest sympathy for the Phyllis Stumbo family. The picture highlighting her smile and engaging eyes underscores the tragedy of the unexpected loss. Sincerely, Dan and Sandy"
"Down-to-earth and sweet as could be. I still can hear her gentle southern voice reading the minutes. How she made sense of our CCD meetings and crafted a cohesive essay that was enjoyable to listen to or to read, was a minor mystery to me. When we last chatted, Phyllis shared some of her memories of growing up in Kentucky and if I recall, working at her father's restaurant, or maybe not working at her father's restaurant! I didn't realize that would be the last time I spoke with her. Such a loss! To her family and close friends, please accept my deepest sympathy. "
"If ever there was a friendly face to run into while I was out shopping, it was Phyllis. To be in her company was something special and I am going to miss her."
"Phyllis was a great great volunteer and activist for the Cedar County Democrats and had ran for office. She was the secretary of the group for many many years. I remember her riding her bike around town and always a smile. During my time here in Tipton Phyllis and her husband Hugh would be running the caucus and they were always appreciative of my assistance in checking people in and organizing paper work. She was in cold, ice and heat with a smile getting the vote out. Her sudden tragic passing is difficult for many in the Cedar County Democrats. On the phone she sat many hours making phone calls. Phyllis was always smiling and had a great laugh. My thoughts are with her family at this most difficult time."
"Praying for your family in this time of grief. Phyllis was like a second mother to me during high school and though I have not ever been back to Iowa it has been special to be able to reconnect with your family via Facebook. Gone way too soon, loved so much, by so many!"
"Holding you all in the Light. I hope your wonderful memories of her will be a comfort through this loss."
"Sorry to hear of the loss of such a great lady. May her legacy live on in her children and grandchildren."
"I so enjoyed working with Phyllis at the University of Iowa Clinical Research Center during the early 1970's and building a float with her for the Cedar Bluff Fourth of July parade. Phyllis was one of my heroes!"