Obituary: Phyllis Tan

Phyllis Tan, age 93, was born on Nov. 28, 1930 to Swan and Alma Peterson. She grew up on an 80-acre farm in Esko, Minnesota, the youngest of six children. Following her graduation from Esko High School, Phyllis attended UMD and received an elementary education degree in teaching. She was united in marriage to Mel Tan, her high school sweetheart in 1954. Her 32-year teaching career included the elementary schools of Nettleton, Morgan Park, Garfield, and Churchill. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa teacher’s sorority, P.E.O., member of the Cloquet Presbyterian Church and Journey Christian Church and served for many years on the Cloquet Young Life Board. She was a voracious reader, avid card player (hand & foot), major extrovert with an exceptional ability to ask questions and listen, which left people feeling valued. She loved Jesus, family and serving others.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Mel Tan. She is survived by her daughter, Lori (Jim) Hatch of Savage; grandchildren, Amanda (Matt) Maunu, Megan (Matt) Johnson and Austin (Hannah) Hatch; and 9 great-grandchildren. Memorials are preferred to Scott County Young Life. (See https://giving.younglife.org/PhyllisTanMemorial).

Visitation will be Thursday, January 11, 2024, from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. memorial service at Journey Christian Church. A time of fellowship and a meal will follow in the church social hall. The family has selected Nelson Funeral Care of Cloquet to assist them with arrangements. See the family online guest book at http://www.nelsonfuneralcare.net.