Mary Elizabeth Philips, age 96, of Sac City, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2006, at her home in Sac City.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 12th, 10:30 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church in Sac City with Rev. B. J. Ukena officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.

Visitation is from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 11th at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City.

Mary was born in Castana, Iowa on October 31, 1909. The daughter of Lewis A. and Carrie L. (Smith) Warwick, Mary grew up in Lake View and graduated from High School there in 1927. She attended the Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls, Iowa State Agricultural College in Ames, and also furthered her education in speech therapy at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake. Mary taught in country schools outside Lake View and another North of Sac City.

On October 8, 1932 she eloped with Arthur Philips to Sioux Falls, S.D. and was married in the Little Stone Church. She taught 5th and 6th grade students at the Auburn Catholic School for ten years. Mary and her husband founded the Sac City Reminder. Arthur died in 1969 and Mary with the help of her daughter, Mrs. Dan Wayt, took over the Reminder for 20 years. After retiring she traveled extensively to many countries. For many years she volunteered at the Public Library, Loring Hospital and Telecare. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. She belonged to the Circle where she was always willing to give a lesson.

Mary loved all sports as well as shopping, reading and attending movies and plays. She was an avid Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Cubs fan. She especially enjoyed playing bridge with her friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Arthur Philips (1969), daughter Barbara Jean Wayt (1999), and an infant brother. She is survived by her son Chris Philips (Patricia); son-in-law Dan Wayt; three granddaughters: Jill Blaha (Carl), Amy Satterlund (Bruce), and Tricia Wayt; grandson Ryan Philips (Amanda); three great grandsons: Brian, Steve and Brendan; and within the next month, two twin great granddaughters, Madeline and Riley; and a host of friends.