Phyllis passed away on October 27, 2018 with her family by her side. Phyllis Mae Olson (Hilts) was born to Fredrick and Helen Olson on August 25th, 1926. She was the last to join her four siblings: Geneve, Bernice, Lester and Francis. Born at the Wadena Hospital, she was raised on the farm 2 miles south of Kuroki until the age of two, when her mother passed away from complications following a stroke at the age of 39. She was then raised by her Grandparents, Halvor and Gertrude, who were living in the town of Kuroki. Her grandparents were Norwegian and fluently spoke their native language, which Phyllis stubbornly refused to speak as a child growing up with the elderly couple. She often would join her brothers Lester and Francis in their walks from school to the farm for a visit with the family. She, like the rest of the kids, endured the hardships of growing up without their mother. After graduating from Grade 12, Phyllis moved to Saskatoon to study to become a teacher. Upon completing her education, she took her first teaching position at Caledon about 6 miles south east of Wadena, and then Kristnas School near the town of Leslie. Some of her students were close to her age and most definitely taller than her 5'2", slender frame. She ended her teaching career 15 years later at Yellow Quill School. During much of this time she boarded with Bertha and John Walden. She either walked the dirt roads or hitched a team and wagon to cover the 4 miles to Yellow Quill. It wasn't until 1960 that the road was built to the school, a short time after she retired from teaching. It was during this time she met her future husband, Bill (William) Hilts. On November 5, 1947, Phyllis married Bill in a service at Regina witnessed by Bill's sister Anne and husband Leo Burke.The wedding party traveled the same day to Moose Jaw to visit Bill's sister Mary who was hospitalized with MS. Phyllis gave her wedding flowers to her new sister-in-law. The next day the wedding party traveled to Kuroki for the wedding celebration. The Olson family had food and fiddles ready for the dance to dawn event. Bill and Phyllis settled on the Hilts family farm, 12 miles south east of Wadena or 8 miles straight north of Leslie, next to Milligan Creek and the black steel bridge. The farm neighbored the Fishing Lake Indian Reserve, and many friendships were developed over the years with the residents of Fishing Lake and area. In 1951, Phyllis and Bill celebrated the birth of the first of five children. On July 7, 1951 Shelley Maureen was born, followed by Leslie Howard on June 12, 1955; Bonnie Rae on January 8, 1961; Naomi Lee on June 28th, 1963; and Kerry Louis on January 21, 1968. Hard work, yet satisfaction in a job well earned carried the family through the 31 years on the farm. Endless crops were planted, gardens harvested and stock butchered - it was a life enjoyed by all the family. In 1955, Phyllis helped to form the Homemakers in the community. Over the years she was also a member of the Wadena Arts Council, Ladies Aid, Country School Board, United Church Board and the Wadena Legion Auxiliary. The years on the farm and in the community were enjoyed, and shared with many neighbors: George, Walden, Elphinstone, McPherson, Neilson, Hepp, Hultin, Ridley, Oliver, Kerluke, Sobchysyn, Kells, Hrapsted, Sigurdson, Gislason, Pell, Kristjanson, Timoshuk, Young, Anderson, Sunshine, Desjarlais - to name just a few. In 1977, Bill passed away. Following another year on the farm, with three children decided it was time to move to town. Phyllis resumed employment to support her family, and at the age of 65 retired as receptionist for Dr. Baht. In 1980, Phyllis built a new home in Wadena and soon developed a yard greatly admired by all. The green thumb obviously was inherited from her father, Fred Olson who was known for his beautiful gardens on the farm south of Kuroki. Over the years, she captured and expressed her creativity through paintings and sketches. Many of her works adorn the walls in the homes of her children and grandchildren, and a number were sold to those appreciative of her work. Her creativity has passed down to her grandchildren, many who express themselves through design, art and music. Phyllis created her own family tree with 5 children: Shelley, Les (Peggy Proznik), Bonnie (Dan Ezak), Naomi (Vern Cey) and Kerry (Gary Burkholder); 6 grandchildren: Kristy, Todd, Tom (Teanna), Jonelle, Janessa (Shawn) and Nathaniel; 5 great grandchildren: Austin, Hayden, Finley, Marek and Fallon. Those who left her world too soon were her parents and siblings, as well as her husband Bill in 1977, grandsons Michael in 1976, Todd in 2004 and daughter Shelley in 2007. Phyllis was the last Aunt on both the Olson and Hilts family tree.