Phyllis Darlene (Shofner) Jones

Phyllis Jones, 96, a beloved great-grandmother, mother, sister, and friend, passed away surrounded by the love of her family in her daughter's home on February 24th, 2025, in Bemidji, Minnesota.

Memorial Services will be 11 a.m., Friday, December 19, 2025 at Trinity Free Lutheran Church, Pony Lake.

Phyllis was born August 7th, 1928, in Bemidji, Minnesota, to proud parents Vinnie and Ernest Shofner. Phyllis lived a remarkable life filled with joy, adventure, and unwavering devotion to God and those blessed to be loved by her.

As a child, Phyllis sincerely appreciated the outdoors, spending countless hours camping, fishing, gardening, and exploring with her family. Her creative spirit shone brightly at a young age, and she developed a lifelong passion for sewing, often losing herself in garment patterns. At just nine years old, she met her future husband, Lester, and they quickly became fast friends and fell deeply in love years later. Known for her cleverness as a child, Phyllis would sometimes pay one of her sisters a nickel to wash the dishes so she could focus on something more enjoyable. In her teens, she continued to spend time with family and friends, crafting notable pieces to wear. Phyllis graduated from high school in 1946 from Bemidji Senior High.

Phyllis married Lester Jones on May 2nd, 1948, at the 1st Presbyterian Church in Bemidji, Minnesota, in front of family and dear friends. Together, they welcomed two children into the world, who became the center of their universe. Phyllis was unwavering in her support of her children, encouraging their passions and nurturing them. If they showed an interest in an activity, she didn't hesitate to sign them up and often volunteered as a troop leader, chaperone, or youth group leader. Phyllis truly loved her children more than anything and poured her heart into fostering their dreams.

Phyllis’s faith was the cornerstone of her life, guiding her actions, relationships, and sense of purpose. Together with Lester, she was deeply involved in their church community, where they found strength, fellowship, and joy. Whether volunteering, attending services, or participating in Bible studies, Phyllis approached her spiritual journey with the same dedication and warmth she brought to every aspect of her life. Even after Lester’s passing, Phyllis remained steadfast in her commitment to her faith, finding comfort and connection through her church family.

She embraced life fully with curiosity, always eager to try new things; even after losing her Lester to cancer in 1985, she didn't stop traveling, exploring, and trying new things. Outside of her curiosity, Phyllis was a phenomenal cribbage player and enjoyed any card game she played. The only thing she enjoyed more than playing games was winning them, and if she wasn't winning, she would jokingly accuse everyone else of cheating, bringing laughter to the table. In her later years, one of her greatest joys was watching her great-grandbabies begin to enjoy cards and games, carrying on the tradition she dearly loved.

We are beyond blessed and grateful to have had 96 wonderful years with her, filled with love, laughter, and countless cherished memories. Her life was a beautiful gift, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering love, warmth, and closeness that will continue to inspire all who knew her. Though she may no longer be with us physically, her spirit lives on in the stories we share, the lessons she taught, and her steadfast love.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Jones; her parents, Vinnie and Ernest Shofner; her brothers, Keith Shofner, Russell Shofner, and Donald Shofner; and her sisters, Donna Mae Bratlien and Jeanne Derby.

She is survived by her son George Jones Bemidji, daughter Mary (Bob) Arndt Bemidji, her granddaughters Elissa Jones Bemidji, Leslie Arndt (Jason Lovold) Bemidji, Lynn (Derek) Snyder Bemidji, grandson Matthew (Megan) Arndt Virginia Beach, and seven beautiful great-grandbabies.

‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.’” Matthew 5:8

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