Phyllis Irene (Donley) Engelbert, born January 24, 1928, to Samuel Henry Donley and Florence Leora (Mays) Donley near Elkhorn Creek in Lincoln County, Kansas, peacefully passed away on December 19, 2023, in Salina, Kansas.

Phyllis began her journey at Twin Mound School and graduated from Lincoln High in 1946. Her pursuit of education led her to the big city of Salina, where she attended Brown Mackie College while working at Duckwalls at the soda fountain. It was at the skating rink, she met Lawrence Hook, whom she married in 1947.  They had three children and she was a proud Den Mother to her Cub Scout boys.

Years later, she enrolled in the Nurse’s Aide program at Salina VoTech.  Phyllis spent 13 years at Asbury Hospital as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Upon retirement, she worked part-time as a bookkeeper at True Value Hardware where later-in-life she married Bill Engelbert. Both Phyllis and Bill shared their faith at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.

Phyllis is survived by her son Jay Hook of Park City; daughter Kim Phelps (Tom) of Salina; her brother Dwight Donley (Bonnie) of Beloit; sister Neva Rathbun of Terry, Montana; her brother-in-law Wallace Murphy of Alton, Kansas. Additionally, she is survived by two step-children: Dale (Susan) Engelbert of Norton and Linda (Bill) Mondt of Salina, along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Phyllis was preceded in death by her husbands: Lawrence Hook, Paul Lemelin, and William Engelbert; her son Gary Hook; and two infant daughters; as well as her siblings Arnold and Walter Donley, Melba Murphy, and Ila Gale Kennedy.

Phyllis had a fierce independence, being the eldest among seven siblings and a selfless caretaker for others throughout her life. A master of various skills, she possessed a green thumb and was celebrated for her exceptional cooking, especially her delicious apple pie. She eagerly anticipated social gatherings, enjoying the chance to dance and connect with friends at Jolly Mixers.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Thursday, December 21, from 6-8 pm at Ryan Mortuary. The memorial service will be held on Friday, December 22, at 2 pm at Ryan Mortuary, followed by interment at Gypsum Hill Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Boys Town of Nebraska, American Heart Association, or St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.  All causes close to Phyllis’s heart.