Phyllis Elaine Cottington was born October 2, 1947, to Henry and Johanna (Vanden Berg) Hackert, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She passed away with her family by her side on August 2, 2017, at Comfort House in Pella.

Phyllis grew up in Pella and was a life-long resident. She was a 1965 graduate of Pella Community High School. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Pella.

After high school, Phyllis worked with her brother laying carpet. She married Gary Dean Cottington on March 19, 1977, in Pella. Later, she was a night manager at motels and convenience stores in Pella, where she had an overnight ministry. Most recently, Phyllis was a night auditor for Country Inn and Suites in Pella. She took some seminary courses and evangelized with Gary's Faithful Four Quartet and preached some around the Pella area. Phyllis organized a large Easter Sunday breakfast at the church for many years. She started a junior church program and taught Sunday School and youth groups and was a foster parent to many children. She also enjoyed delivering Angel Tree Christmas packages and visiting shut-in's and teaching her children to do the same. Phyllis touched many lives. She worked nights so she could care for her parents during the day. In her spare time, she liked to crochet and spoil Gary. Much like her father, Phyllis was easy-going, forgiving and caring.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Gary of 40 years, and their children:

Deanne and Michael De Koning of Pella
Joshua, Matthew and James

Johanna and Jimmy Ball of Monroe
Tyler, Collin, Tori and Nikolas

Kaye and John Langstraat of Pella
Amanda and Brett Panko
Owen and Lainey
Molly Langstraat
Trett Langstraat

David and Sarah Cottington of Pella
Grace, Andrew and Levi

Kevin and Shantell Cottington of Melcher-Dallas
Brendan Cottington
Jesse, Lexi and Olivia
Trevor Raab

Phyllis is also survived by her brothers: Larry and Joyce Hackert of Pella, and Dr. Marvin and Bretna Hackert of Austin, Texas.

Visitation

2:00 P.M., Thursday, August 3, 2017
4:00 - 7:00 P.M., Family present
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

Funeral Services

2:30 P.M., Friday, August 4, 2017
First Baptist Church
Pella, Iowa

MEMORIALS

Hospice of Pella
First Baptist Church

Family

Husband: Gary Cottington, Pella
Children: Deanne and Mike De Koning, Pella
Johanna and Jimmy Ball, Monroe
Kaye and John Langstraat, Pella
David and Sarah Cottington, Pella
Kevin and Shantell Cottington, Melcher-Dallas