Obituary of Phyllis Ruth Karels

Phyllis Ruth Karels, a long-time resident of Lake Havasu City, passed away Saturday, January 3, 2015 at the young age of 80. Phyllis was born February 14, 1934 in Los Angeles, CA to Richard and Nellie Rasmussen. In 1951 she married Charles Holyfield and had three children: Daniel, David and Debra. That marriage unfortunately ended in the mid 60's. She married Peter J. Karels on May 30, 1970, and had a daughter, Dawn, and moved to Lake Havasu. They owned several businesses, including The Good Book Store, Magic Wand and Sunshine Janitorial Services, and Aero Clean Mobile Wash. Phyllis also worked at the Nautical Inn Resort for 20 years as head of housekeeping and laundry until she retired in 1999. They were married 42 years until he passed on July 4, 2012. Phyllis is survived by her four children: Daniel H.(Karen) Holyfield of Prescott Valley, Arizona, David (Patti) Holyfield of Flagstaff, Arizona, Debra (Bill) Calvert of Shelbyville, Tennessee, Dawn Marie Guild of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and two step-daughters: Tanya (Mike) Hoover and Debbie Lynn Garcia of Drain, Oregon. Phyllis was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. She was an only child until the age of 75 when she and her sister, Tammy Hayes, found each other through a genealogy search and Facebook. They met for the first time in 2011. Phyllis had very strong faith in, and love for, her Savior Jesus Christ. She attended the Lakeview Community Church of Lake Havasu City and managed the food closet, which was her passion. A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, January 16, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Lakeview Community Church, 1699 West Acoma Boulevard, Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Memorial gifts may be made to the Lakeview Community Church Food Closet Ministry or Ovarian/Uteran Cancer Research. Services were placed into the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to Phyllis's family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com