Euphemia “Phyl” Kondal, age 81, of Rapid City passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. She was born in Flint on February 15, 1932, to George and Euphemia (Grant) Alexander. On June 26, 1955, Phyl married the late Ralph Kondal Jr. in East Lansing. Together they raised two daughters at her family’s centennial farm in Birch Run.
Phyl attended the Horton School, Birch Run High, Bay City Junior College and Michigan State University, achieving her Master’s Degree in Education. Phyl’s passion for reading inspired many students in her 31 year career as a teacher and principal at Birch Run Area Schools. She was frequently seen driving her signature Corvette between the district’s outlying elementary schools she administered.
Phyl and Ralph spent every weekend and summer at the lake cottage they built together, before moving north full time in retirement. Phyl’s sense of adventure took her family down every back road in northern Michigan, camping and exploring the history of our state.
Phyl taught herself to snow ski and sail catamarans, and she loved to garden and practice Tai Chi. She loved animals; she had a lifetime filled with favorite cats and dogs, as well as a great appreciation for wildlife. She enjoyed playing piano, organ and dulcimer. She researched genealogy and created scrapbooks that her family cherishes. After her husband’s death, she served as a volunteer for Munson Hospice, sharing her kind words and friendly smile with others.
Phyl is survived by two daughters: Kimberly (Louis) Patterson of Benicia, CA, and Kerry (Greg) Steck of Woodruff, SC; two granddaughters: Anne Patterson of Chicago, IL, and Ashleigh Campbell of San Luis Obispo, CA; and dear friends Dawn and Michael Solinski of Birch Run, MI.
Memorial contributions in Phyl Kondal’s name may be directed to the Birch Run-Taymouth Educational Foundation, 12400 Church Street, Birch Run, MI 48415, Attention: Linda Foster.
Visitation with the family is scheduled for Friday, July 19th from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, and Saturday, July 20th from noon until the memorial service at 1:30 pm at the O’Guinn Funeral Home in Birch Run, Michigan. Private burial following the memorial service.
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