Phyllis (Kugler) McCosh was born 100 years ago, on September 14th, 1920, and died Saturday, October 24th in the Lakeview Village Rehabilitation Center in Lenexa, Kansas. Her good long life began as a child of John Musselman Kugler and Bertha Burkholder Kugler of rural Abilene.
Some of her best childhood memories were fixing a snack when coming home from school and going to the barn while her Mother milked the cows. She talked of the many scrumptious meals her Mother would fix for large family holiday dinners, a tradition she continued. She also spoke fondly of practicing the piano as a child and especially loved playing hymns. Phyllis attended East Buckeye grade school, Abilene High School and graduated from Bethany College in Lindsborg in 1941 with a degree in music education.
In 1937, she and another young man from the community, LeRoy McCosh, were two of three selected to attend the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago. A relationship began that led to their marriage in 1943, with a wedding at her parents home at the Kugler farm. They were married 58 years and had six children: Ron McCosh (Cindy) of Beverly, KS,
Patricia King (Gary) of Winfield,KS, Gordon McCosh (Sherryl), of Rockwall, TX, Nancy Wassenberg (Roger) of Shawnee, KS, Dennis McCosh of rural Abilene, and Cathy Matlack (Terry) of Shawnee, KS.
Phyllis had 16 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren and 2 great-great granddaughters. Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband LeRoy in 2002, her parents, her three siblings, Harold Kugler, Marie Wick and Laberta Simmons, a daughter-in-law, Lynn McCosh and a grandson, Joe McCosh.
Both LeRoy and Phyllis had many accomplishments, honors and awards through out their lives. Highlights were the Dickinson County Extension Council Appreciation award and they were also honored as members of the Master Farmer and Master Farm Homemaker award in 1993, giving public recognition for excellence in farming, homemaking and rural citizenship.
Phyllis was honored with the Master Teacher award from the Chapman School District in 1977.
Music and the piano was Phyllis’ passion. She began giving piano lessons at the age of 16 and continued until 80 years of age. She taught elementary music in the Chapman School
District at Blue Ridge, Talmage and Upland schools from 1956 – 1988. She inspired many “next generation” music teachers who she continued to mentor and stay in touch with over the years. She loved hearing her grandchildren and great grand-children play the piano or their instruments and many mini concerts were given her while she listened with a broad smile.
Phyllis had a strong unshakable faith. She served her community of faith at the Buckeye
Church of the Brethren by serving as pianist and organist for 48 years. She had youth choirs, did summer bible school and encouraged and accompanied many of her students who were ready to share their musical talents with the church community. She was known for her baking and her cinnamon twists were always one of the first things people would seek out at many church potlucks.
Services will be Saturday, October 31st, 11am, at Danner Funeral Home, 501 N. Buckeye St.,
Abilene, KS. Due to the pandemic, attendees are encouraged to wear masks. Burial will follow the service at 12:15pm at the Union-Livingston Cemetery on Indy Road, south of Highway 18, north of Abilene. The service can be viewed online with this link, starting at 11am; http://www.phyllismccosh.com/
Memorial contributions may be made to the Phyllis McCosh Scholarship fund for Chapman graduates to pursue a degree in music. Make checks payable to the Irish Foundation, noting the Phyllis McCosh Scholarship fund. Send to The Irish Foundation, P.O. Box 249, Chapman,
KS 67431. Donations can also be left at Danner Funeral Home in Abilene.