Phyllis LaVerne (Maempa) Vaughn, 78, of Nampa slipped away peacefully in her sleep the morning of September 27, 2014 and awoke in heaven to a beautiful greeting from her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and a grand reunion with her loving husband Vic. She left this earth after a spirited fight against cancer and leaves behind a loving family, precious friends and a lasting legacy of God’s goodness and love. Phyllis was born on January 29, 1936 to Ted and Mary (Kangas) Maempa in her maternal grandparents’ home in Lake Fork, Idaho.
Phyllis grew up on the farm her paternal grandparents homesteaded. As a child, she enjoyed spending time with her Grandma Maempa. Oftentimes she and her grandma would bake cakes, and around Memorial Day, she loved to make her grandma roses created from rolled crepe paper dipped in wax. Living on a farm introduced Phyllis to work at an early age, where she helped her Mom and Dad by carrying in wood for the wood stove, gathering eggs, feeding the pigs and, when needed, milking the cows. She even drove the tractor during harvest time. Driving a tractor was how Phyllis learned to drive. Later, when she was old enough to drive a car, the farm field became her practice ground before taking the car on the road.
One Sunday afternoon in 1951, one of the ladies at the church Phyllis and her family attended asked Phyllis if she would like to write to her brother Vic who was leaving soon for the war in Korea. Phyllis had never met the woman’s brother, although she had caught a glimpse of him one time when his family was visiting his sister, and even though they’d never met, she happily agreed to become his pen pal. Later that evening she told her mother, “I feel very honored to be asked to write to a soldier, but nothing will ever come of it.” That soldier, who received her first letter on Heartbreak Ridge, would one day become her husband and very best friend. After many long letters back and forth across the ocean, and only 3 dates, Vic proposed to Phyllis and she said “Yes!”
Vic and Phyllis were married on June 7, 1953 in the historic Finnish Lutheran church outside Lake Fork, Idaho. They honeymooned in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where they splurged on their $2.00 motel room and added the use of the television for an extra $3.00. After the honeymoon, they made their home in Nampa, Idaho where they attended church at Nampa First Assembly of God (now named The Promise).
On June 2, 1954 the Vaughn family grew as Vic and Phyllis welcomed their daughter Delores (Dee) Mae. Their second daughter, Constance (Connie) June joined the family on July 17, 1955. The family was complete with the birth of their son James (Jim) Victor on July 1, 1959.
Once, when asked to write a limerick about herself, Phyllis penned:
“A sweet Finnish country girl
born in her grandparents home;
was swept off her feet one day
by the kindest man she’d ever known.
In a span of just a few years
both produced three wonderful kids.
They hoped they’d all stay close to home,
but nary a one of them did.”
Although Phyllis did periodically work outside the home in retail, restaurants and the Birdseye Foods production plant, she spent the majority of her married life as a homemaker and full-time Mom. For much of his career on the railroad, Vic worked out of town during the week, leaving Phyllis to keep everything running smoothly at home. She was a strong woman, a wonderful mother and a loving wife. Even after her children were grown and living away from home, Phyllis was always watching out for them and praying for their every need.
Phyllis loved people and took great delight in inviting people into her home. She truly had the gift of hospitality and always wanted her guests to be comfortable and well taken care of. After Vic retired from the railroad, Phyllis and Vic became involved with the senior adult group at church. The group, named S.W.A.T. (Seniors with a Testimony), soon put Phyllis and her organizational skills to work. Phyllis was appointed the social organizer and was soon planning trips to local sites and museums, monthly birthday celebrations at local restaurants, a monthly Bible study and the occasional overnight trip to fun destinations out of town. Every month, Phyllis would write a newsletter filled with activities for S.W.A.T. members to participate in. She loved her church family, and enjoyed every opportunity to spend time with them.
Phyllis was a beloved wife, a loving mother, a devoted grandmother and a cherished great grandmother. Her daily presence with her family will be greatly missed, but her life lessons and legacy will live on forever. She is survived by her three children: Dee (and Bob) Greninger of Hoquiam, Washington; Connie Vaughn of Nampa, Idaho; and Jim (and Mandy) Vaughn of Epping, Victoria, Australia; her five grandchildren: Chris (and Michelle) Greninger and Amy (and Adam) Turpin of Hoquiam, Washington; Eric (and Loni) Greninger of University Place, Washington; Christie (and Jared) Stocks of Mayfield, Tasmania, Australia; and Zach Vaughn of Epping, Victoria, Australia; her two beloved great grandsons Gabriel and Michael Turpin of Hoquiam, Washington; her brother John (and Jan) Maempa of Springfield, Missouri; her sister Carol (and Rick) Rigenhagen of Nampa, Idaho and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and amazing friends.
Special thanks to the wonderful staff of Hearts for Hospice & Home Health for their excellent care of Phyllis during her final weeks. Their compassion and care were outstanding.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Promise church.
Phyllis grew up on the farm her paternal grandparents homesteaded. As a child, she enjoyed spending time with her Grandma Maempa. Oftentimes she and her grandma would bake cakes, and around Memorial Day, she loved to make her grandma roses created from rolled crepe paper dipped in wax. Living on a farm introduced Phyllis to work at an early age, where she helped her Mom and Dad by carrying in wood for the wood stove, gathering eggs, feeding the pigs and, when needed, milking the cows. She even drove the tractor during harvest time. Driving a tractor was how Phyllis learned to drive. Later, when she was old enough to drive a car, the farm field became her practice ground before taking the car on the road.
One Sunday afternoon in 1951, one of the ladies at the church Phyllis and her family attended asked Phyllis if she would like to write to her brother Vic who was leaving soon for the war in Korea. Phyllis had never met the woman’s brother, although she had caught a glimpse of him one time when his family was visiting his sister, and even though they’d never met, she happily agreed to become his pen pal. Later that evening she told her mother, “I feel very honored to be asked to write to a soldier, but nothing will ever come of it.” That soldier, who received her first letter on Heartbreak Ridge, would one day become her husband and very best friend. After many long letters back and forth across the ocean, and only 3 dates, Vic proposed to Phyllis and she said “Yes!”
Vic and Phyllis were married on June 7, 1953 in the historic Finnish Lutheran church outside Lake Fork, Idaho. They honeymooned in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where they splurged on their $2.00 motel room and added the use of the television for an extra $3.00. After the honeymoon, they made their home in Nampa, Idaho where they attended church at Nampa First Assembly of God (now named The Promise).
On June 2, 1954 the Vaughn family grew as Vic and Phyllis welcomed their daughter Delores (Dee) Mae. Their second daughter, Constance (Connie) June joined the family on July 17, 1955. The family was complete with the birth of their son James (Jim) Victor on July 1, 1959.
Once, when asked to write a limerick about herself, Phyllis penned:
“A sweet Finnish country girl
born in her grandparents home;
was swept off her feet one day
by the kindest man she’d ever known.
In a span of just a few years
both produced three wonderful kids.
They hoped they’d all stay close to home,
but nary a one of them did.”
Although Phyllis did periodically work outside the home in retail, restaurants and the Birdseye Foods production plant, she spent the majority of her married life as a homemaker and full-time Mom. For much of his career on the railroad, Vic worked out of town during the week, leaving Phyllis to keep everything running smoothly at home. She was a strong woman, a wonderful mother and a loving wife. Even after her children were grown and living away from home, Phyllis was always watching out for them and praying for their every need.
Phyllis loved people and took great delight in inviting people into her home. She truly had the gift of hospitality and always wanted her guests to be comfortable and well taken care of. After Vic retired from the railroad, Phyllis and Vic became involved with the senior adult group at church. The group, named S.W.A.T. (Seniors with a Testimony), soon put Phyllis and her organizational skills to work. Phyllis was appointed the social organizer and was soon planning trips to local sites and museums, monthly birthday celebrations at local restaurants, a monthly Bible study and the occasional overnight trip to fun destinations out of town. Every month, Phyllis would write a newsletter filled with activities for S.W.A.T. members to participate in. She loved her church family, and enjoyed every opportunity to spend time with them.
Phyllis was a beloved wife, a loving mother, a devoted grandmother and a cherished great grandmother. Her daily presence with her family will be greatly missed, but her life lessons and legacy will live on forever. She is survived by her three children: Dee (and Bob) Greninger of Hoquiam, Washington; Connie Vaughn of Nampa, Idaho; and Jim (and Mandy) Vaughn of Epping, Victoria, Australia; her five grandchildren: Chris (and Michelle) Greninger and Amy (and Adam) Turpin of Hoquiam, Washington; Eric (and Loni) Greninger of University Place, Washington; Christie (and Jared) Stocks of Mayfield, Tasmania, Australia; and Zach Vaughn of Epping, Victoria, Australia; her two beloved great grandsons Gabriel and Michael Turpin of Hoquiam, Washington; her brother John (and Jan) Maempa of Springfield, Missouri; her sister Carol (and Rick) Rigenhagen of Nampa, Idaho and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and amazing friends.
Special thanks to the wonderful staff of Hearts for Hospice & Home Health for their excellent care of Phyllis during her final weeks. Their compassion and care were outstanding.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Promise church.
Phyllis LaVerne (Maempa) Vaughn, 78, of Nampa slipped away peacefully in her sleep the morning of September 27, 2014 and awoke in heaven to a beautiful greeting from her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and a grand reunion with her loving husband Vic. She left this earth after a spirited fight against cancer and leaves behind a loving family, precious friends and a lasting legacy of God’s goodness and love. Phyllis was born on January 29, 1936 to Ted and Mary (Kangas) Maempa in her maternal grandparents’ home in Lake Fork, Idaho.
Phyllis grew up on the farm her paternal grandparents homesteaded. As a child, she enjoyed spending time with her Grandma Maempa. Oftentimes she and her grandma would bake cakes, and around Memorial Day, she loved to make her grandma roses created from rolled crepe paper dipped in wax. Living on a farm introduced Phyllis to work at an early age, where she helped her Mom and Dad by carrying in wood for the wood stove, gathering eggs, feeding the pigs and, when needed, milking the cows. She even drove the tractor during harvest time. Driving a tractor was how Phyllis learned to drive. Later, when she was old enough to drive a car, the farm field became her practice ground before taking the car on the road.
One Sunday afternoon in 1951, one of the ladies at the church Phyllis and her family attended asked Phyllis if she would like to write to her brother Vic who was leaving soon for the war in Korea. Phyllis had never met the woman’s brother, although she had caught a glimpse of him one time when his family was visiting his sister, and even though they’d never met, she happily agreed to become his pen pal. Later that evening she told her mother, “I feel very honored to be asked to write to a soldier, but nothing will ever come of it.” That soldier, who received her first letter on Heartbreak Ridge, would one day become her husband and very best friend. After many long letters back and forth across the ocean, and only 3 dates, Vic proposed to Phyllis and she said “Yes!”
Vic and Phyllis were married on June 7, 1953 in the historic Finnish Lutheran church outside Lake Fork, Idaho. They honeymooned in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where they splurged on their $2.00 motel room and added the use of the television for an extra $3.00. After the honeymoon, they made their home in Nampa, Idaho where they attended church at Nampa First Assembly of God (now named The Promise).
On June 2, 1954 the Vaughn family grew as Vic and Phyllis welcomed their daughter Delores (Dee) Mae. Their second daughter, Constance (Connie) June joined the family on July 17, 1955. The family was complete with the birth of their son James (Jim) Victor on July 1, 1959.
Once, when asked to write a limerick about herself, Phyllis penned:
“A sweet Finnish country girl
born in her grandparents home;
was swept off her feet one day
by the kindest man she’d ever known.
In a span of just a few years
both produced three wonderful kids.
They hoped they’d all stay close to home,
but nary a one of them did.”
Although Phyllis did periodically work outside the home in retail, restaurants and the Birdseye Foods production plant, she spent the majority of her married life as a homemaker and full-time Mom. For much of his career on the railroad, Vic worked out of town during the week, leaving Phyllis to keep everything running smoothly at home. She was a strong woman, a wonderful mother and a loving wife. Even after her children were grown and living away from home, Phyllis was always watching out for them and praying for their every need.
Phyllis loved people and took great delight in inviting people into her home. She truly had the gift of hospitality and always wanted her guests to be comfortable and well taken care of. After Vic retired from the railroad, Phyllis and Vic became involved with the senior adult group at church. The group, named S.W.A.T. (Seniors with a Testimony), soon put Phyllis and her organizational skills to work. Phyllis was appointed the social organizer and was soon planning trips to local sites and museums, monthly birthday celebrations at local restaurants, a monthly Bible study and the occasional overnight trip to fun destinations out of town. Every month, Phyllis would write a newsletter filled with activities for S.W.A.T. members to participate in. She loved her church family, and enjoyed every opportunity to spend time with them.
Phyllis was a beloved wife, a loving mother, a devoted grandmother and a cherished great grandmother. Her daily presence with her family will be greatly missed, but her life lessons and legacy will live on forever. She is survived by her three children: Dee (and Bob) Greninger of Hoquiam, Washington; Connie Vaughn of Nampa, Idaho; and Jim (and Mandy) Vaughn of Epping, Victoria, Australia; her five grandchildren: Chris (and Michelle) Greninger and Amy (and Adam) Turpin of Hoquiam, Washington; Eric (and Loni) Greninger of University Place, Washington; Christie (and Jared) Stocks of Mayfield, Tasmania, Australia; and Zach Vaughn of Epping, Victoria, Australia; her two beloved great grandsons Gabriel and Michael Turpin of Hoquiam, Washington; her brother John (and Jan) Maempa of Springfield, Missouri; her sister Carol (and Rick) Rigenhagen of Nampa, Idaho and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and amazing friends.
Special thanks to the wonderful staff of Hearts for Hospice & Home Health for their excellent care of Phyllis during her final weeks. Their compassion and care were outstanding.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Promise church.
Phyllis grew up on the farm her paternal grandparents homesteaded. As a child, she enjoyed spending time with her Grandma Maempa. Oftentimes she and her grandma would bake cakes, and around Memorial Day, she loved to make her grandma roses created from rolled crepe paper dipped in wax. Living on a farm introduced Phyllis to work at an early age, where she helped her Mom and Dad by carrying in wood for the wood stove, gathering eggs, feeding the pigs and, when needed, milking the cows. She even drove the tractor during harvest time. Driving a tractor was how Phyllis learned to drive. Later, when she was old enough to drive a car, the farm field became her practice ground before taking the car on the road.
One Sunday afternoon in 1951, one of the ladies at the church Phyllis and her family attended asked Phyllis if she would like to write to her brother Vic who was leaving soon for the war in Korea. Phyllis had never met the woman’s brother, although she had caught a glimpse of him one time when his family was visiting his sister, and even though they’d never met, she happily agreed to become his pen pal. Later that evening she told her mother, “I feel very honored to be asked to write to a soldier, but nothing will ever come of it.” That soldier, who received her first letter on Heartbreak Ridge, would one day become her husband and very best friend. After many long letters back and forth across the ocean, and only 3 dates, Vic proposed to Phyllis and she said “Yes!”
Vic and Phyllis were married on June 7, 1953 in the historic Finnish Lutheran church outside Lake Fork, Idaho. They honeymooned in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where they splurged on their $2.00 motel room and added the use of the television for an extra $3.00. After the honeymoon, they made their home in Nampa, Idaho where they attended church at Nampa First Assembly of God (now named The Promise).
On June 2, 1954 the Vaughn family grew as Vic and Phyllis welcomed their daughter Delores (Dee) Mae. Their second daughter, Constance (Connie) June joined the family on July 17, 1955. The family was complete with the birth of their son James (Jim) Victor on July 1, 1959.
Once, when asked to write a limerick about herself, Phyllis penned:
“A sweet Finnish country girl
born in her grandparents home;
was swept off her feet one day
by the kindest man she’d ever known.
In a span of just a few years
both produced three wonderful kids.
They hoped they’d all stay close to home,
but nary a one of them did.”
Although Phyllis did periodically work outside the home in retail, restaurants and the Birdseye Foods production plant, she spent the majority of her married life as a homemaker and full-time Mom. For much of his career on the railroad, Vic worked out of town during the week, leaving Phyllis to keep everything running smoothly at home. She was a strong woman, a wonderful mother and a loving wife. Even after her children were grown and living away from home, Phyllis was always watching out for them and praying for their every need.
Phyllis loved people and took great delight in inviting people into her home. She truly had the gift of hospitality and always wanted her guests to be comfortable and well taken care of. After Vic retired from the railroad, Phyllis and Vic became involved with the senior adult group at church. The group, named S.W.A.T. (Seniors with a Testimony), soon put Phyllis and her organizational skills to work. Phyllis was appointed the social organizer and was soon planning trips to local sites and museums, monthly birthday celebrations at local restaurants, a monthly Bible study and the occasional overnight trip to fun destinations out of town. Every month, Phyllis would write a newsletter filled with activities for S.W.A.T. members to participate in. She loved her church family, and enjoyed every opportunity to spend time with them.
Phyllis was a beloved wife, a loving mother, a devoted grandmother and a cherished great grandmother. Her daily presence with her family will be greatly missed, but her life lessons and legacy will live on forever. She is survived by her three children: Dee (and Bob) Greninger of Hoquiam, Washington; Connie Vaughn of Nampa, Idaho; and Jim (and Mandy) Vaughn of Epping, Victoria, Australia; her five grandchildren: Chris (and Michelle) Greninger and Amy (and Adam) Turpin of Hoquiam, Washington; Eric (and Loni) Greninger of University Place, Washington; Christie (and Jared) Stocks of Mayfield, Tasmania, Australia; and Zach Vaughn of Epping, Victoria, Australia; her two beloved great grandsons Gabriel and Michael Turpin of Hoquiam, Washington; her brother John (and Jan) Maempa of Springfield, Missouri; her sister Carol (and Rick) Rigenhagen of Nampa, Idaho and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and amazing friends.
Special thanks to the wonderful staff of Hearts for Hospice & Home Health for their excellent care of Phyllis during her final weeks. Their compassion and care were outstanding.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Promise church.
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