Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Phyllis Darlene Montis passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

She was born in a little house east of the fairgrounds in Parker, South Dakota to Marjorie (Wiese) and Cornelius “Neal” Langerock.

After graduating from Hurley High School, Phyllis continued to live in the Parker/Hurley area until attending Eastern State Normal in Madison, South Dakota.

She taught school in rural South Dakota for 2 years and then went on to work for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service for 5 years.

For the next 37 years Phyllis’ career was with the Holiday Inn.

She began as Sales and Catering Manager at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Sioux Falls, which opened in January 1972.

In 1975 she was awarded the YMCA Businesswoman of the Year for the Sioux Falls area.

During her years there she coordinated events for Ronald Reagan, George Bush Sr., Jimmy Carter, Walter Mondale, Joan Kennedy, Rosalynn Carter, and George McGovern’s election night.

In 1981, the Office of Governor of South Dakota under Governor Bill Janklow, appointed her as a South Dakota Ambassador of the Diplomatic Corps of the State of South Dakota.

She had the privilege of traveling with the selected group throughout the United States.

Phyllis was honored with many awards during her career.

She was awarded the Rookie Innkeeper of the year for Brock Hotel in 1984.

The following year she would move to Texas for a position with the Holiday Inn Company where she would be one of twenty-five members chosen from Canada, Mexico, and the United States, as a member of the People Notice Advisory Board for the Holiday Inn Corporation.

Later she would be appointed to the Holiday Inn Corporation of Directors.

She carried the title CERTIFIED HOTEL ADMINSTRATOR (C.H.A.), a distinction awarded from The American Hotel and Motel Association.

During the years she was a member of Rotary Club, Lions Club, Christian Woman, and Mid-Continent Golden Triangle Hotel and Lodging Association of Port Arthur, Texas.

Phyllis traveled the world extensively with travels including trips to: Europe, Mexico, the Far East, Russia, Australia, Africa, China, and Japan.

Phyllis leaves behind a loving family and especially cherished her time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Family includes: one son, Douglas William Montis & significant other Chloe Ann Newhouse; grandchildren: Neal Douglas (Kara) Montis, Amanda Rae (Austin) Soper, and Meagan Marjorie (Luke) Lumb; great grandchildren: Paige Taylor and Aiden James Soper, and Ellie Rae and Logan Mae Lumb; niece Cheri (Larry) Kraemer; grandnephew and grandniece Lucas and Kiera Kraemer. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandson Chad William Montis, nephew Kendall Dain Langerock, brother Donald Langerock, and best friend and sister-in-law Roberta Langerock.

The family will receive friends at First Presbyterian Church 209 E. 2nd Street, Parker, South Dakota on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, with visitation at 9:00 AM and funeral services at 10:00AM.

Private burial to follow at Rosehill Cemetery.

Arrangements by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home.

In memory of Phyllis, memorials are suggested to First Presbyterian Church of Parker, South Dakota.

The family would like to thank the staff at Wellsville Retirement Community and the Inspire Hospice team for their tender care during Phyllis’ last days on Earth.

Phyllis leaves wanting all to know, “I WAS BLESSED.”