Phyllis Ann (Wickland) Sumner

Phyllis Ann Sumner of Arlington, Oregon passed away peacefully at a care facility in Newberg, Oregon on August 24th, 2018 at the age of 90. Phyllis was born to Arthur and Sadie Wickland on April 7th, 1928. She grew up south of Arlington on the family cattle and wheat ranch with her two siblings, Pearl and Bill Wickland. She graduated from Arlington High School in 1946 and was the beautiful May Day Queen that same year. She worked for a time as a telephone operator and soon after married her husband, Tom Sumner in 1947.

She loved being a school bus driver for over twenty years. She was always working on the ranch, either driving farm equipment, or cooking and caring for her family. She found joy in visiting and playing Bridge with her life-long friends. She loved to grow things; especially tomatoes and beautiful flowers like roses and peonies. Phyllis was also a very talented artist and enjoyed painting pictures of flowers and beautiful landscapes on canvas.

Phyllis was a dedicated life-long member of the Church of the Nazarene in Arlington. She gave generously of her time to her church and community. She enjoyed life, family members, and many friends. She was always there to brighten the lives of others and spent her life committed to her family. She was very proud of all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her love and devotion were a joy to all.

She was loved, will be missed, and always cherished. She was a wonderful wife, mom, aunt, and grandmother. She could get out and work cattle, drive a truck or combine with the best of them, and put out a homemade meal fit for a king, like a world-class country cook.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and husband Tom Sumner. She is survived by her three loving children: daughter Rita and husband Loyd Kruse of Eugene, Oregon, son Craig and wife Cherie of Arcata, California, and son Mark and wife Becky of Arlington, Oregon. She loved her grandchildren Lisa Hescock, Dean Kruse, Sarah and Tyler Sumner, Walter Cahail and wife Sara, Hunter and Ella Sumner, and her great-grandchildren Lucy and Hannah Hescock, Kaelon Buckwald, Allison and Emily Cahail; they were the pride and joy of her life.

A graveside service will be held in Arlington, Oregon on September 15th at 11:00 am, with a gathering of friends and family to follow at the Church of the Nazarene.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Phyllis Ann (Wickland) Sumner, please visit our floral store.