Phyllis Joan (Dingman) Reagan was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming on July 12, 1930, to Blossom L. and Waldo E. Dingman, the third of four children. The family moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. Phyllis studied art at the University of Nebraska. In April 1958, she married Air Force officer Paul M. Reagan, who was stationed at Lincoln Air Force Base. Phyllis and Paul raised three children over years of moves and military assignments, and ended up back in Lincoln, when Paul retired from the military.
Phyllis had the soul of an artist, and created many works of art in sculpture, oil paintings, and nature photography. She was also skilled in needle work, sewing, and gardening. Her back yard was always full of wild flowers. Always fascinated with nature, Phyllis and Paul were active members of the Audubon Society for many years. Phyllis was a deeply spiritual person, who felt closest to The Almighty in the songs of birds, the call of an owl, or the wind stirring tall prairie grass.
Phyllis was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. When Paul passed in May 2014, she chose her own epitaph: “At one with nature…lovingly shown through her artwork and photography”.
Phyllis is survived by her daughters Amy and Rebecca, her son Mike, granddaughters Sarah and Carol, and great granddaughters Autumn and Scarlet, as well as many other family members and friends.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M.on Friday, July 7, 2023 at Wyuka Cemetery. A celebration of life gathering will be held following the graveside at Wyuka Funeral Home.
Mum, you will be missed every day, until my last breath. I pray you are at peace now. Until then…
Love, Amy Elizabeth.
Amy, Mike, and Becky,
I am so sorry for your mom’s passing. She was an amazing woman with many talents. It was obvious in the pictures she took of you all throughout the years she treasured you all immensely.
Thank you for your kind wishes, Heather. You are a true friend.
“Like a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive in time of sorrow.” Robert Louis Stevenson
Mike, Becky and Amy, your mom was an amazing woman. She was talented in her paintings and photography. She was one with nature. All one had to do was bring her a pinecone or a pretty rock or a fallen bird’s nest to bring a smile to her face. Your mom loved the prairies and the wonders of nature to be found there. I will always love her lead plant tea that she made. I’m sorry for your loss and my loss as well. she was like a second mom to me. I will miss her too.
In the midst of sorting through paperwork and belongings, one thing is certain – all of that is so insignificant compared to the feeling of seeing your bed and your chair empty, and that I can never again sit with you and hold your hand, and tell you how the day went.
The Reagans were wonderful people and faithful, supportive customers of my record store in the 1980s and 1990s. It was always a joy to see them and daughter Amy come in and we had delightful conversations. My wife and I also enjoyed receiving for many years Phyllis’ handmade Christmas cards featuring nature scenes.
Rest in Peace, good friends. You brought sunshine into others’ lives.
The Reagans were wonderful people and faithful, supportive customers of my record store in the 1980s and 1990s. It was always a joy to see them and their daughter Amy come in and we had delightful conversations. My wife and I also enjoyed receiving for many years Phyllis’ handmade Christmas cards featuring nature scenes. Rest in Peace, good friends. You brought sunshine into others’ lives.
To my dearest Mother, you were my best friend and you were always there for any of us. Thank you for introducing me to the beauty and awesomeness of nature. Whether it was the amazing pattern of frost covering the window on a Winter morning , or the excitement of witnessing a dramatic and breathtaking nocturnal thunderstorm in July as we all sat in the screened in back porch. Last but not least, teaching us to respect all wildlife.
P.S. – I promise that I will learn to make your peanut brittle for Christmas! I love you!