Phyllis Carda, 89

Phyllis Lucille (Anderson) Carda was born June 15, 1936, in Sidney to Florence "Girlie" Hart Anderson and Ernest Anderson. She began life in the Midway Community alongside her sister Louise. After the heartbreaking death of their father, Ernest — struck by lightning while farming — Phyllis was raised in a close, hardworking family shaped by resilience, humor and love. Her mother later married Ernest’s brother, Harry, and together they built a home south of Sidney, across from the Anderson School, in a humble four-room house with a coal stove, an outhouse, no refrigerator and a hand-pump sink. That home eventually welcomed four more sisters and two brothers, creating a family of eight children.

Phyllis graduated from Sidney High School in 1955. She poured her heart into caring for others throughout her life — first as a devoted homemaker and mother, and in countless practical ways as a seamstress, babysitter, gardener, and hairdresser. Later, after her children, Keith and Renal, were grown, she worked in the cafeteria at Flathead High School before spending nearly 18 years at Friendship House. She served there with pride and purpose, including 11 years as activity director and as a member of the Board of Directors, bringing warmth, dignity, and joy to the lives of those around her.

In her younger years, Phyllis loved being outdoors and making memories with family. She enjoyed camping, water skiing, and snowmobiling, and she never missed the chance to dance at the Eagles. Creative to her core, she was known for her crafts, thoughtful family gift baskets, and the fancy dresses she designed and sewed for little girls. She had a gift for making special occasions feel truly special — from silk floral arrangements to her beloved mint candies made for weddings.

Phyllis dedicated 19 years to the Eagles drill team, where she helped prepare and serve banquets and funeral luncheons with the same quiet care she offered everywhere else. She was a proud member of the Eagles Hall of Fame and was honored as United Way Volunteer of the Year in July 1987. Doing for others — bringing what she called "sunshine to their hearts" — wasn’t just something she did; it was who she was.

She loved her husband, Albert, deeply. After his passing in 2009, she continued to speak of him fondly and carried his memory with her always.

In the later years of her life, Phyllis made her home in Oregon at the Astor House, where she quickly built a wonderful circle of friends who looked after one another like family. She brought the same warmth there that she had always offered everywhere she went, and the Astor House staff adored her — especially for the stories she told so vividly, and for the pride she carried in her years of work at Friendship House. Oregon also gave Phyllis more time close to Keith and Debbie, and she cherished spending holidays with them, Megan and Jason. Those seasons together were especially meaningful to her.

Phyllis loved simple pleasures and quiet adventures — especially drives through the countryside. Some of her favorite outings were trips to Filberts for dinner, where she always ordered the chicken and dumplings, a tradition her family will forever smile about.

Phyllis adored her family. She delighted in her five grandchildren, her great-grandchildren, and her great-nieces, Alana and Kinzey, treasuring time with each of them and holding them close in her heart. In recent years, she also found special joy in welcoming new great-grandchildren — especially her first great-granddaughters — a milestone she spoke of with pride and tenderness.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert and her siblings, Louise, Jerry, Kay, Ron and Wanda. 

She is survived by her sisters, Darla and Margene; her son, Keith (Debbie); her daughter, Renal (David); five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and her step-grandchildren (Jason's children), whom she loved dearly and enjoyed getting to know during her years in Oregon. Each of them carries a piece of her love forward. 

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 13 at Stillwater Free Lutheran Church, 1401 Church Drive, Kalispell.