Phyllis Margaret Begunck

Williamsburg- Phyllis Margaret Begunck was born on March 3rd, 1943, near Marengo, Iowa to Ralph James and Alma Emilia Mae (Weisskopf) Heitman. She graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1961 and attended Ellsworth Community College before attaining her her BA in Library Education from State College of Iowa (later named the University of Northern Iowa) in 1966. She worked as a school librarian in Spencer, Everly and South Clay schools for over 24 years. On February 24th, 1968, Phyllis was united in marriage to Marvin Fred Bjork at Trinity United Church of Christ, near Marengo. She lived in Ames, Spencer and later Williamsburg. Marvin passed away in 2001 and Phyllis married Henry Edwin Begunck at Trinity United Church of Christ on June 18, 2005. Phyllis was a member of the United Church of Christ. She enjoyed her cats, playing cards with her ladies group and the church group, volunteering in care centers with Ed to play piano for the residents, singing in the church choir and with the Believers community chorus of Marengo. Phyllis passed on Monday, March 16th, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids, at the age of 83.

She is survived by her husband, Ed, of Williamsburg; two children Scott (Sarah Radermacher) Bjork of Marshall, Minnesota and Andrea (John) Todsen of Ankeny; four grandchildren Alex, Anna, Aubrey and Gavin; and three sisters Joan Hunt of Blakesburg, Zelda Sherman of Ely and Alice White of Ankeny. She was preceded by her parents; her first husband Marvin; and five siblings Raymond Heitman, John Heitman, Karen Ramsey, Linda Roberts and Wayne Heitman.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Trinity United Church of Christ, 1895 200th St. Marengo, IA. Burial will follow at the Genoa Bluff Cemetery, rural Ladora. Visitation will be on Monday, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at the Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg. Memorials may be given to Trinity United Church of Christ, Safe Haven or Hospice of Mercy. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.