Obituary, Phyllis Elena Gracias Farner, The Dalles
Phyllis Farner
November 30, 1933- November 21, 2021
Phyllis Elena Gracias Farner went to sit at the feet of our Lord on Sunday, November 21, 2021. Her final days were spent surrounded by her family. She lived a godly life that was vibrant and remarkable.
She expressed her God-given talents through her devotion to God, her family, her passion for teaching music and ministry. She was truly interested in everyone she met. She hated to think of anyone being alone and sought to get as many as she possibly could involved in anything she did. One of her best qualities is that she simply saw the good in others.
Phyllis was born on Thanksgiving November 30, 1933, on the island of Curacao, Netherland Antilles near the tip of Venezuela. Her parents, Elmer and Esther Paulson were missionaries and later pastored churches in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. She perfectly fit her role as their greeter with her passion for people & ministry. She graduated from Westmont College in 1955 with a BA in Music Theory & Organ. Phyllis married Ken Farner in Caldwell, Idaho on August 28, 1955. Together, they had four children, (Ramona, Nancy, Dan & Jim) and were involved in farming, community and church activities.
Musically, Phyllis also taught private piano and directed youth choirs. She gained her music teaching certificate in 1982, the year she and Ken moved to The Dalles. She passionately taught music at Chenowith Elementary and Mosier from 1985-1998. She enjoyed singing with “Cascade Singers” under Lloyd Walworth and joined her cousin, Elinor to tour Europe singing with the “Palouse Choir Society”. Retirement could not keep her away from school and she accompanied her daughter, Ramona's programs for the past thirteen years. She thoroughly enjoyed directing the "Young at Heart" Senior Center Choir, coordinating for the Warming House, serving at Community meals and participating in the Gateway Mission Commission.
It was a must for her to be with family during the holidays and this became a highlight of all their lives. Dementia could not subdue her musical bones! She could play by ear on the piano for hours and there was always a song in her heart that may come out anywhere and at any time.
Her husband, children and family are blessed to have had her in their lives. Remaining are her husband; Ken Farner, her four children; Ramona Harwood, Nancy Farner, Dan & Sheron Farner and Jim & Heidi Farner, her eleven grandchildren; Corby Harwood, Larissa Poppen, Judah Harwood, Kenny Harwood, Michaela (Farner) Dutscheck, Zach Farner, Anna Farner, Adon Farner, Wesley Farner, Josh Farner, Rachel Farner, and her six great-grandchildren; Zoe Poppen, Elsa Harwood, Isaiah Poppen, Christopher Harwood, Isabelle Poppen and Sarah Farner.
Her celebration of life will be on April 2nd at 2 p.m. at the Gateway Church of The Dalles. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Habitat for Humanity or a charity of your choice.
