Phyllis Groven

Phyllis Ann (Pauls) Groven, age 86, died on December 23, 2020, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. She was born July 26, 1934 in Grand Forks, the daughter of Hugo and Ida (Helgeson) Pauls. She graduated from Central High School in 1952. She enlisted in the US Army in August 1952, and served until honorably discharged at Fort Dix, in July 1954 as a Sergeant. While she served in the Women’s Army Corps, she was stationed at NATO Headquarters in Paris, France. After serving her country, she returned to Grand Forks and graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in Business Administration. She was employed by the Federal Government for 30 years, as a Contracting Officer at the Grand Forks Airforce Base, by the Indian Health Service in Bemidji, Minnesota and at the Human Nutrition Laboratory in Grand Forks. After her retirement, she worked for a time at Lunseth Plumbing. Phyllis was very proud of her military service and long tenure as a federal employee. 

Phyllis married Orville Groven in Crookston, MN in 1964. They divorced, and he died in 1973. Phyllis and Orville had one daughter together, Brenda Rosten (Bradley). Phyllis was always so proud of her daughter Brenda and all that she has accomplished in her life. 

Phyllis adored spending time with her many beloved cats and was a huge advocate for rescuing animals. There was never a hungry cat sent away from her home. Phyllis cherished spending time with her five grandchildren, Emily Foyt (Kellen Bolander), Christopher Foyt (Crystal), and Aiden, Zachary, Jayna Rosten and great grandchild (Jakoby Foyt). In retirement, Phyllis enjoyed taking her granddaughter Emily to cat conventions, movies, shopping, and teaching her to play cards. She loved taking her grandson, Christopher, out to try new restaurants when he was growing up. Phyllis enjoyed her grandchildren’s hockey games, and did not mind hosting Emily and Christopher for Fight Sioux Hockey Camp in the summers (except for those early morning practices). Phyllis was a lover of casinos, BINGO enthusiast, and master QVC shopper, and passed down her love of reading and crime shows to her grandchildren. 

Phyllis remained close with her classmates from the class of 1952 and enjoyed keeping in touch and going out to lunch with those still in Grand Forks.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her sister Inez Olson, and brothers Gerald Pauls and Arnold Pauls. At her request, no services will be held. Her immediate family will be holding an internment at Memorial Gardens in Grand Forks, at a later date. Two of Phyllis’s favorite charitable organizations were The Circle of Friends Animal Shelter in Grand Forks, and Grand Forks Senior Center (The Silver Campaign).