Phyllis C. Sanders, 93, of Lilydale, MN died Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at her residence. She was born July 16, 1923 in Duluth, Minnesota the daughter of Benjamin and Carol (Young) Alwin. She graduated high school in 1941. She enrolled at Eastman School of Music in 1943 and graduated in 1945. In August, 1948, she married Rufus R. Sanders. Phyllis was an instructor of piano and Music Theory at Central College in Missouri. She received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York and was an instructor in the theory department of the school while completing work for her Masters degree. She also has had graduate work at the University of Minnesota. She taught as many as 60 to 70 students weekly in her piano studio. Phyllis helped found the Owatonna Music Guild. She taught piano pedagogy in the summers to interested piano students. She also enjoyed reading, loved to learn, shopping, adopting cats and especially enjoyed her family. She was a member of the local PEO Chapter, the Owatonna Music Guild and was in the Couples Club at the Methodist Church. She is survived by children, Carolynne Lynne (John) Bulger of Mendota Heights, Morgan Shawn Sanders of Austin, TX , and Muriel Betsy Sanders of Austin, TX and; brother, Elon Van (Marilyn) Alwin of New Lenox, IL; sisters, Joyce (Vernon) Vereschagin of Orland, CA, and Bonnie Sellers of Hingham, MA; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rufus; son, Charles. A visitation will be held at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna on Saturday, June 17, 2017 from 1:00 - 2:00 P.M. A Memorial Service will be held at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. Inurnment will be in St. John Cemetery in Owatonna. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to PEO, Owatonna Music Guild or the Animal Humane Society. Visitation: 06/17/2017 13:00 06/17/2017 14:00 Service: 06/17/2017 14:00