Phyllis M. Salmon

Phyllis M. (Reynolds-Rubeck) Salmon, 94, of Wakefield, NE, died on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at the Wakefield Care Center.  Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 25, 2023, at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield, with a prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at Salem Lutheran Church in Wakefield.  The burial will be in the Concord Cemetery in Concord, NE.  Memorials are suggested to Salem Lutheran Church or the Concord Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield.  

Phyllis was born December 5, 1928, in Dixon County Nebraska to Lewis Wesley and Grace Elizabeth (Tuttle) Reynolds. She grew up in many places and went to many schools. She graduated from Concord High School in May of 1947. On June 22, 1947, she married Merle Rubeck (the son of Al and Esther Rubeck of Concord, NE) and the couple had 5 children, Randall, Marcia, Paul, Darwin, and Mark.

They moved around a lot. Phyllis was active in church wherever they lived, and she taught Sunday School, Bible School, and held office in the ladies’ organizations. She waited until most of her children were in school before she started selling Avon for 8 years. She was a stay-at-home mom until the children left home, then she joined the workforce. While living in Kansas, Phyllis worked for a temporary service doing many interesting jobs.  She liked the place that made bathroom fixtures and worked there for 5 years. When they moved back to Laurel, NE, she was a greeter at the funeral home for 7 years, cleaned the Laurel Post Office for 5 years, and was a waitress in several cafes. Phyllis and Merle were married for 53 years until Merle’s death in 2000. The couple enjoyed traveling and straying in campers together.  

Phyllis had a special friend, Henry Arp from 2004-2007. They took several love tours and made many friends. Henry also got Phyllis to square dance which she enjoyed until his death in 2007. 

Later in 2007, the Lord brought an old high school friend back into Phyllis’s life, Kenneth Salmon.  Kenny and Elaine Salmon were good friends with Merle and Phyllis until Elaine’s passing.  On July 26, 2008, Phyllis married Kenny and moved to Wakefield. Together the couple traveled to Texas almost every winter.  Kenny and Phyllis enjoyed fishing together and that remained a special bond between the two for their married life.  

Phyllis was active in the Senior Center and spent every chance she had playing cards. In October 2016, Kenny died at the age of 88, and Phyllis continued living at home until December 2022. Phyllis moved to an apartment where she enjoyed spending time putting puzzles together. Shortly after the move, Phyllis’ health started to decline.  

Phyllis is survived by her children, Randall Rubeck, Marcia (Jim) Holmstedt, Paul (Nancy) Rubeck, all of Grove, OK, Darwin ( Kathi) Rubeck of Greta, NE, Mark Rubeck of Wakefield, NE; 8 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; numerous step-grandchildren; and step-great-grandchildren; brother, Marlin Reynolds of Wakanda, SD and his 3 children and 3 step-children and their families, 2 sisters-in-law; many family and friends

Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; 2 sisters-in-law; 1 great-grandson; 1 step great-grandson; and a special friend Henry Arp.