Phyllis Joan (Fairchild) Bridson, 87, of West Des Moines, IA, passed away Monday, March 22, 2021. A memorial service will be held at a time and place yet to be determined.
Phyllis was born July 23, 1933, in Milford, IA, to Enos and Bess (Shaffer) Fairchild. She had five brothers and sisters: Mary Louise (Fairchild) Plautz (husband Ralph) of Iowa City, IA, Jean (Fairchild) Bridson (husband Erwin) of Storm Lake IA, Dan Fairchild (wife Sally) of Terril, IA, Estel Fairchild (wife Audrey) of Milford, IA, and Bob Fairchild (wife Mary) of Terril, IA. She attended a one-room country school, graduated from Terril High School and received her Teaching Certificate in 1953 from Iowa State Teacher’s College, now known as the University of Northern Iowa.
She married Keith Bridson on July 14, 1953, in Terril IA, and they were happily married for 67 years.
Phyllis raised three children, volunteered for numerous charitable organizations, and worked as a teacher’s aid in the West Des Moines School district for many years, leaving a legacy of capable and loving assistance with co-workers, neighbors in need and hundreds of students. Her personal life was marked by her keen interest in learning, devotion to her family and a well-developed sense of fun.
She is fondly remembered by her husband Keith Bridson of West Des Moines, IA, daughter Lori (Bridson) Hunter and her husband, Randy Hunter, of West Des Moines, IA, son, Tom Bridson and his wife, Sally Swisher, of Austin, TX, son, Paul Bridson and his wife, Kelly Sargent, of Ankeny, IA, grandchildren, Danielle (Janke) Holsapple of Niantic, CT, Ryan Janke and his wife Lindsay (Schultz) Janke of Prole, IA, Daniel Bridson and Darragh Bridson of Austin, TX, and five great-granddaughters, Kennedy Holsapple, Sam Holsapple, Marin Janke, Quinn Holsapple, Lauren Janke and Hannah Janke.
