Phyllis Magill Obituary

Phyllis Diane (Dau) Magill, 73, passed away peacefully at UNMC in Omaha on June 28, 2025 surrounded by her children. She was born December 15, 1951 to Lois Swiney. She was later adopted by the late Walter “Bud” and Pauline (Welke) Dau of Ainsworth, NE on May 15, 1953 from the Nebraska Children’s Home in Omaha, NE. Phyllis was a loving mother, grandmother and friend to everyone she met.

She graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1970. Her childhood was spent at Arabia Ranch learning about country life and then later moving to Ainsworth where she spent the rest of her life.

She married Dean R. Magill on May 10, 1975 in Ainsworth. From this marriage, three children were born: Rebecca, Melissa and Robert.

Phyllis loved helping people, being a grandmother and being active in her community. She was an active member of DOES, Order of Eastern Star and Ainsworth American Legion Auxiliary. Phyllis was a Nebraskaland Hostess, a CNA, a custodian at Ainsworth Community Schools, served food at the Elks Lodge for many events, and later cleaned many businesses and homes in Ainsworth until her retirement. She was a member of the United Methodist Church.

In her spare time, she loved to sew, stay in touch with everyone she knew, and never complained about running her kids to school events. She loved her cat, Kelly Jo, and always had a passion for animals. She was very proud of her kids and grandkids. She always had a smile on her face even on her sickest days. Phyllis was always willing to put everyone else first before herself. She was a very busy lady and her kids always wondered how she kept up with it all.

She is preceded in death by her birth mother, Lois Swiney; parents, Walter and Pauline Dau; half-brother, John Swiney Jr.; and half-sisters, Judith Frazier, Joyce Swiney and Jackie Schneller.

She is survived by her husband, Dean Magill of Ainsworth; daughters, Rebecca Magill of Atkinson, NE, Melissa (husband, Jody) Campbell of Belden, NE; son, Robert Magill (significant other, Harlea Stephens) of Ainsworth; five granddaughters, Jayden, Madyson, Camryn, Adalyn, and Sofeah and one grandson, Grayson; half-sister, Janice Swiney of Pelion, SC; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members.

Funeral Service was held on Monday, July 7, 2025 at the Ainsworth United Methodist Church with Pastor David Randall officiating at the event. The CD Selections of “Amazing Grace” and “In The Garden“ by Alan Jackson were played. Casketbearers were: Chester Smith, Jake Graff, Chris Osterman, Nate Johnson, Landon Welke and Ryan Welke. Honorary Casketbearers were All of Phyllis’s Other Family and Friends. Organizational Rites were conducted by Ainsworth DOES Drove #54. Memorials were suggested to the family in Phyllis’s name for future designation. Interment was in the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Wood Lake, NE under the direction of the Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.