Phyllis P. Faulkner

Phyllis P. Faulkner, age 90, of Cannon Falls, formerly of Hastings, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2026, at Cannon River Senior Living, surrounded by her loving family.

Phyllis was born on December 27, 1935, in Laconia, New Hampshire, to Harold and Ruth (Bowen) Pope. She grew up in Harrisville, New Hampshire, where her family often said she had a beautiful life, surrounded by love and community while helping in her family’s General Store.

After graduating from Harrisville High School, Phyllis did a little life living, including a spirited road trip in her Volvo to visit many places including her sister in California. She later returned to New Hampshire to attend Keene Teaching College. It was there that she met Jerry Faulkner, who was working at a hardware store and had already returned from military service. Jerry first spotted Phyllis swishing down the aisle and later admitted that he could not help but notice her backside too. Whatever caught his attention worked, because six months later they were engaged, and on November 24, 1962, they were married, beginning a love story that would last more than 63 wonderful years.

Phyllis and Jerry built a beautiful life together, raising three children, Reid, Alison, and Cassandra. Their early years took them to Ben Lomond, California, then briefly to High Point, North Carolina, before settling in Hastings, Minnesota, where Phyllis quickly made herself right at home.

While Phyllis was a devoted homemaker, she was also everywhere else too. She managed Spiral Natural Foods for many years and volunteered for just about everything. If a hand was needed, hers was usually the first in the air, and before long she somehow ended up running the whole show.

Phyllis never liked sitting still. She played tennis, skied both downhill and cross country, biked, canoed, hiked, gardened, and generally stayed one step ahead of everyone else. She was a proud member of the Tuesday Wipeouts ski group, which met year-round whether there was snow on the ground or not. Phyllis had a gift for turning every outing into an adventure and every gathering into a good time.

Her sense of style might not have made any fashion magazines, but her personality more than made up for it. She was cheerful, welcoming, and famous for being an organized hoarder, especially when it came to her impressive collection of Cool Whip container lids. She could make a wonderful Sunday breakfast, but anything beyond that was a bit of a gamble, though baking was another story and she did that well. She loved to eat just as much as she loved to bake and somehow always managed to clean her plate.

Phyllis treasured her day dates with her girls, which usually involved shopping, sightseeing, laughter, and almost always a stop at a winery. Those simple days were some of her favorites.

After retirement, Phyllis and Jerry spent many happy years traveling together, enjoying their timeshares in California, Texas, Arizona, and beyond. They played tennis, explored new places, and cherished simply being side by side. In 2021, as Phyllis’s Alzheimer’s progressed, they moved to Cannon River Senior Living in Cannon Falls to be closer to family.

Phyllis is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Jerry Faulkner; her children, Reid (Rochelle) Faulkner of Chandler, Arizona; Alison (David) Godfrey of Cannon Falls, Minnesota, and Cass Faulkner of Eagan, Minnesota; grandchildren, Logan (Julia) Godfrey of Cannon Falls, Tegan (Julie) Godfrey of Shakopee, Corbin (Stefano) Falla of Cannon Falls, and Hannah (William) Thompson of Gilbert, Arizona; her great grandchildren, Lyla, Lennon, and Ronan Falla; Taryn, Brooks, Hayden, Thora, and Harald Godfrey; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Ruth; and her half-siblings, Winslow, Arthur, Frank, and Pam.

There will be no services at this time. A burial will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at Cannon River Senior Living and Moments Hospice for the wonderful compassion and support they gave Phyllis and her family.

When you find yourself outside hiking, skiing, biking, or simply enjoying a good glass of wine, please take a moment to think of Phyllis and smile, because that is exactly how she would want to be remembered.