Phylis A. Hystad, 97, passed away on September 2, 2025, at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home. Phylis was born on July 14, 1928, to Harold and Elsie (Gessner) Lynner in Watford City, North Dakota. She attended grade school at Zoar and graduated high school in Arnegard. After graduating, Phylis continued her education at Minot Teachers College, receiving her teacher certificate.

On June 20, 1948, Phylis married Dallas Hystad at the Zoar church. She taught in rural schools for several years, then dedicated her life to her family and helping on the farm and ranch. She worked for the USDA as a farm statistician, visiting farmers and making friends all over Northwestern North Dakota. She was an active 4H leader, during which time she coached and corrected her children and grandchildren, making them do and redo things until they were up to her standards. Phylis put together the McKenzie County Cemetery book called the “Final Resting Place”. She spent many hours, and put on many miles visiting churches, funeral homes, and cemeteries, finding graves and death records. The proceeds from her efforts went to purchasing and placing markers on all known graves.

Phylis was an avid quilter, making quilts for her family, shopping all the material stores, and collecting old clothing to be used in quilts for the Arnegard Church Quilters, and later the Methodist Quilters, while living in Briarwood in Williston, North Dakota. If you traveled with her, you were sure to learn who used to live where, who their family was, who their children married and where they live now, or where they are buried. She was a virtual encyclopedia of people from Northwest North Dakota.

She is survived by her sisters; Maxine and Eunice, sons; Roger (Chris), Darrell
(Deb), Craig (Lona), grandchildren; Shawn, Cameron, Cassie, Casey, Caydee, Charlie, Darcie, Darla, Jesse, Luke, and Brandi, along with numerous great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Dallas, sons; Lloyd and Calvin, parents; Harold and Elsie, and siblings; Duane, Gladys, and Marjorie