Phyllis Elvera Urch, age 82, of Owatonna, passed away on Monday, November 17, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born August 5, 1943, in Owatonna, the daughter of Lloyd and Elvera (Reul) Sanders. In 1961, Phyllis graduated from Owatonna High School and was united in marriage to the love of her life, Duane Urch, on November 4, 1961, celebrating 59 years together until his passing in 2021.

Phyllis and Duane purchased a farm west of Owatonna where they would raise their family along with building their poultry legacy. She worked side by side with her husband for over 50 years running one of the largest pure-breed poultry operations in the country. The Urchs had great pride in what they accomplished together. Phyllis loved caring for children; she provided an individual family daycare for many years until she eventually was able to care for her own seven grandchildren, bragging that it was the best job ever.

During her life, Phyllis enjoyed traveling for many different ventures: to Branson, MO, to annual poultry shows across the country, to the Minnesota State Fair, and attending the local Steele County Fair. She was a life-long antique collector, enjoyed playing games (board, card, or dice), and did water aerobics for over 25 years after dancing became too hard. Phyllis was an excellent cook and baker along with dabbling in knitting and crocheting.

Phyllis was heavily involved in her community as a volunteer and leader. She served the Owatonna Women's Club, the Citizens of Tomorrow 4-H Club, and as a room parent for her children's classroom. Faith was a strong part of her daily life, as Phyllis served on church circles, was an altar guild member, and taught as a Sunday School Teacher for many years. With faith, came love for her family, especially her love to support her grandchildren by attending all music and sporting events. The Christmas season at the Urch home was a cherished time that mainly treasured spending time with family.

Phyllis was a hard worker, never complaining when the road got rough. Her children thought of her as the strongest woman they knew as she was always the optimist and proud of everything she accomplished. Some of her sayings will stay in their memories: "Uff Da", "Fiddlesticks", and "that's a big job done".

She is survived by her children: David Urch, Julie (Tim) Turnlund, and Dan (Candy) Urch all of Owatonna; grandchildren: Michael (Kelsey) Urch, Nicole (Jared) Fuller, Karl Turnlund, Jessica (Isaac) Heins, JD Rogers, JC Rogers, and JB Rogers; two great-grandchildren, Jeremiah and Addison; brothers-in-law, John (Kathy) Urch and Glenn Hanson; and many nieces and nephews who knew her by Aunt Toots.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Duane; grandson, Joshua Turnlund; her Fuller great-grand babies who were lost too soon; siblings: Melvin (Jean) Sanders, Edward "Dick" (Elaine) Sanders, and Elaine (Charles) Wencl; and sister-in-law, Mary Lou Hanson.

A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna. A visitation will be held from 9 am until the time of service. Phyllis will be laid to rest at St. John Cemetery in Owatonna. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed through the church's website and can be viewed here when it becomes available.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Steele County Historical Society, memo: Village of Yesteryear, to help preserve the history of the historic structures for generations to come in Phyllis' memory.