Phyllis Ann Olsen Vanden Berg
December 19, 1929 - January 13, 2022
Obituary
Phyllis Ann Olsen Vanden Berg, age 92, died peacefully in her sleep on January 13, 2022, in Silver Spring, Maryland. Phyllis was born December 19, 1929, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Her parents, Elmer Olsen and Gladys Wedgwood, raised four children during the depression in a home full of love and music. The family played and sang together; Phyllis learned trumpet, piano, clarinet, oboe and bassoon. As a child, Phyllis lived for many months in the hospital, enduring surgeries, leg braces and extensive physical therapy, an experience which taught her great courage and empathy. She graduated from South Dakota State College with a degree in sociology in 1952 and married Glen E. Vanden Berg later that year. She lived in Chicago while Glen served in the Army. On his return, they lived in East Lansing, Michigan and Auburn, Alabama before settling in Silver Spring in 1965, with their three children.
Along with being a homemaker and parent, Phyllis worked for decades at Community Ministry of Montgomery County, serving and befriending its most vulnerable residents. In 1965, the family joined Colesville Presbyterian Church, an intentionally interracial congregation. For well over 50 years, Phyllis attended and served there in leadership roles, sang alto in the church choir, and was an active music and youth group leader. Her music ministry extended beyond the church: for years she led hymn sings at the nursing home where her mother lived, and continued this well beyond her mother's death. Phyllis later led a biweekly sing-along at Riderwood Village retirement center for years more, her music and spirit touching the lives of many. She also volunteered with the League of Women Voters, the local clothes closet, the PTA, scouts, the AFS exchange program (the family hosted two foreign students) and various hospitals. She was led to become a hospice volunteer after sitting with a dear friend every day for months through a painful cancer death. Phyllis was always ready to help a friend or a stranger: delivering a meal, giving a ride, listening to a problem, or showing up in a crisis to lend a gentle, quiet presence. She had friends of all ages and all circumstances. She was a seamstress, cook, avid reader, card player and puzzler. With husband Glen, family and friends she crisscrossed the U.S. (often in their pop-up trailer) from Florida to Alaska, from Maine to Hawaii, visiting family, sightseeing and enjoying adventure.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband Glen, sisters Doris Amble and Lois Yager, and brother Neal Olsen. She is survived by her children Terrie Lutterloh
and husband Charles, Chris Vanden Berg and wife Carol, Kathryn Vanden Berg and husband Craig, eight grandchildren: Diane, Adam, Colin, Natalie, Kayla, Noah, Gabriel and Kyle; eight great-grandchildren; a vast extended family; and many dear friends. A memorial service will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Phyllis' name to Colesville Presbyterian Church./a
December 19, 1929 - January 13, 2022
Obituary
Phyllis Ann Olsen Vanden Berg, age 92, died peacefully in her sleep on January 13, 2022, in Silver Spring, Maryland. Phyllis was born December 19, 1929, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Her parents, Elmer Olsen and Gladys Wedgwood, raised four children during the depression in a home full of love and music. The family played and sang together; Phyllis learned trumpet, piano, clarinet, oboe and bassoon. As a child, Phyllis lived for many months in the hospital, enduring surgeries, leg braces and extensive physical therapy, an experience which taught her great courage and empathy. She graduated from South Dakota State College with a degree in sociology in 1952 and married Glen E. Vanden Berg later that year. She lived in Chicago while Glen served in the Army. On his return, they lived in East Lansing, Michigan and Auburn, Alabama before settling in Silver Spring in 1965, with their three children.
Along with being a homemaker and parent, Phyllis worked for decades at Community Ministry of Montgomery County, serving and befriending its most vulnerable residents. In 1965, the family joined Colesville Presbyterian Church, an intentionally interracial congregation. For well over 50 years, Phyllis attended and served there in leadership roles, sang alto in the church choir, and was an active music and youth group leader. Her music ministry extended beyond the church: for years she led hymn sings at the nursing home where her mother lived, and continued this well beyond her mother's death. Phyllis later led a biweekly sing-along at Riderwood Village retirement center for years more, her music and spirit touching the lives of many. She also volunteered with the League of Women Voters, the local clothes closet, the PTA, scouts, the AFS exchange program (the family hosted two foreign students) and various hospitals. She was led to become a hospice volunteer after sitting with a dear friend every day for months through a painful cancer death. Phyllis was always ready to help a friend or a stranger: delivering a meal, giving a ride, listening to a problem, or showing up in a crisis to lend a gentle, quiet presence. She had friends of all ages and all circumstances. She was a seamstress, cook, avid reader, card player and puzzler. With husband Glen, family and friends she crisscrossed the U.S. (often in their pop-up trailer) from Florida to Alaska, from Maine to Hawaii, visiting family, sightseeing and enjoying adventure.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband Glen, sisters Doris Amble and Lois Yager, and brother Neal Olsen. She is survived by her children Terrie Lutterloh
and husband Charles, Chris Vanden Berg and wife Carol, Kathryn Vanden Berg and husband Craig, eight grandchildren: Diane, Adam, Colin, Natalie, Kayla, Noah, Gabriel and Kyle; eight great-grandchildren; a vast extended family; and many dear friends. A memorial service will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Phyllis' name to Colesville Presbyterian Church./a
Phyllis Ann Olsen Vanden Berg
December 19, 1929 - January 13, 2022
Obituary
Phyllis Ann Olsen Vanden Berg, age 92, died peacefully in her sleep on January 13, 2022, in Silver Spring, Maryland. Phyllis was born December 19, 1929, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Her parents, Elmer Olsen and Gladys Wedgwood, raised four children during the depression in a home full of love and music. The family played and sang together; Phyllis learned trumpet, piano, clarinet, oboe and bassoon. As a child, Phyllis lived for many months in the hospital, enduring surgeries, leg braces and extensive physical therapy, an experience which taught her great courage and empathy. She graduated from South Dakota State College with a degree in sociology in 1952 and married Glen E. Vanden Berg later that year. She lived in Chicago while Glen served in the Army. On his return, they lived in East Lansing, Michigan and Auburn, Alabama before settling in Silver Spring in 1965, with their three children.
Along with being a homemaker and parent, Phyllis worked for decades at Community Ministry of Montgomery County, serving and befriending its most vulnerable residents. In 1965, the family joined Colesville Presbyterian Church, an intentionally interracial congregation. For well over 50 years, Phyllis attended and served there in leadership roles, sang alto in the church choir, and was an active music and youth group leader. Her music ministry extended beyond the church: for years she led hymn sings at the nursing home where her mother lived, and continued this well beyond her mother's death. Phyllis later led a biweekly sing-along at Riderwood Village retirement center for years more, her music and spirit touching the lives of many. She also volunteered with the League of Women Voters, the local clothes closet, the PTA, scouts, the AFS exchange program (the family hosted two foreign students) and various hospitals. She was led to become a hospice volunteer after sitting with a dear friend every day for months through a painful cancer death. Phyllis was always ready to help a friend or a stranger: delivering a meal, giving a ride, listening to a problem, or showing up in a crisis to lend a gentle, quiet presence. She had friends of all ages and all circumstances. She was a seamstress, cook, avid reader, card player and puzzler. With husband Glen, family and friends she crisscrossed the U.S. (often in their pop-up trailer) from Florida to Alaska, from Maine to Hawaii, visiting family, sightseeing and enjoying adventure.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband Glen, sisters Doris Amble and Lois Yager, and brother Neal Olsen. She is survived by her children Terrie Lutterloh
and husband Charles, Chris Vanden Berg and wife Carol, Kathryn Vanden Berg and husband Craig, eight grandchildren: Diane, Adam, Colin, Natalie, Kayla, Noah, Gabriel and Kyle; eight great-grandchildren; a vast extended family; and many dear friends. A memorial service will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Phyllis' name to Colesville Presbyterian Church./a
December 19, 1929 - January 13, 2022
Obituary
Phyllis Ann Olsen Vanden Berg, age 92, died peacefully in her sleep on January 13, 2022, in Silver Spring, Maryland. Phyllis was born December 19, 1929, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Her parents, Elmer Olsen and Gladys Wedgwood, raised four children during the depression in a home full of love and music. The family played and sang together; Phyllis learned trumpet, piano, clarinet, oboe and bassoon. As a child, Phyllis lived for many months in the hospital, enduring surgeries, leg braces and extensive physical therapy, an experience which taught her great courage and empathy. She graduated from South Dakota State College with a degree in sociology in 1952 and married Glen E. Vanden Berg later that year. She lived in Chicago while Glen served in the Army. On his return, they lived in East Lansing, Michigan and Auburn, Alabama before settling in Silver Spring in 1965, with their three children.
Along with being a homemaker and parent, Phyllis worked for decades at Community Ministry of Montgomery County, serving and befriending its most vulnerable residents. In 1965, the family joined Colesville Presbyterian Church, an intentionally interracial congregation. For well over 50 years, Phyllis attended and served there in leadership roles, sang alto in the church choir, and was an active music and youth group leader. Her music ministry extended beyond the church: for years she led hymn sings at the nursing home where her mother lived, and continued this well beyond her mother's death. Phyllis later led a biweekly sing-along at Riderwood Village retirement center for years more, her music and spirit touching the lives of many. She also volunteered with the League of Women Voters, the local clothes closet, the PTA, scouts, the AFS exchange program (the family hosted two foreign students) and various hospitals. She was led to become a hospice volunteer after sitting with a dear friend every day for months through a painful cancer death. Phyllis was always ready to help a friend or a stranger: delivering a meal, giving a ride, listening to a problem, or showing up in a crisis to lend a gentle, quiet presence. She had friends of all ages and all circumstances. She was a seamstress, cook, avid reader, card player and puzzler. With husband Glen, family and friends she crisscrossed the U.S. (often in their pop-up trailer) from Florida to Alaska, from Maine to Hawaii, visiting family, sightseeing and enjoying adventure.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband Glen, sisters Doris Amble and Lois Yager, and brother Neal Olsen. She is survived by her children Terrie Lutterloh
and husband Charles, Chris Vanden Berg and wife Carol, Kathryn Vanden Berg and husband Craig, eight grandchildren: Diane, Adam, Colin, Natalie, Kayla, Noah, Gabriel and Kyle; eight great-grandchildren; a vast extended family; and many dear friends. A memorial service will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Phyllis' name to Colesville Presbyterian Church./a
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