Phyllis Jewell, 96, passed away in Fort Benton on July 15, 2020.  Graveside services will be at 1:00 p.m., July 25, 2020 at Riverside Cemetery.  Memorial donations in Phyllis's honor may be made to the First Christian Church of Fort Benton.  Benton Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.  Please visit Phyllis's online memorial page at www.bentonfh.com to leave a message of condolence for her family.

Phyllis Jeanne (Wilder) Jewell was born September 16, 1923 in rural Scotland County, Missouri - the only child of Phillip and Hazel Wilder.  She attended grade school through seventh grade in a one room rural school, riding her pony two miles to school.  The Wilders later moved to the Grand Valley of western Colorado where Phyllis graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1941.  Two years later she received an Associate in Arts degree from Mesa County Junior College and shortly thereafter she moved to Denver, Colorado where she was employed by the International Harvester Company.  In 1947 she relocated to Great Falls, Montana, where she continued to work for the International Harvester Company.

In 1949 she married Worth Jewell of Great Falls and in 1950 they moved to Carter, Montana to operate a farm owned by Worth's aunt and uncle (Martha & Paul Weeks).  In 1966 they purchased the farm and they continued to live there until Worth's death in 1998.  Phyllis continued to live at the family farm until May 2002 at which time she moved into Fort Benton.

Phyllis was a member of the First Christian Church of Fort Benton.  Her goal in life was to take care of her family – doing things for and with them – and helping on the farm.  She enjoyed keeping records of family activities and vacations, even keeping a list of guests from the time of her marriage.  After moving to Fort Benton, she became a member of the Red Hats Society and was a volunteer at the Tourist Information center for several summers.

She is survived by three sons, David (Bette) of Miles City, Dan (Kathie) of Swan Lake, and Terry (Janet) of Carter; four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and six step-great grandchildren.