Phyllis D. (Hull) Moody July 21, 1932 ~ Oct. 4, 2021
Phyllis D. (Hull) Moody passed away Oct. 4, 2021 at the age of 89 in Albuquerque, NM after a brief illness. She was born July 21, 1932 to Ray and Grace (Gibbs) Hull in Antigo, Wisconsin and grew up in Wausau, WI.
She married Fred Moody in 1953 in Wausau, and moved to several locations in Wisconsin following Fred’s employment as an electrician. Fred and Phyllis had four children in Wisconsin.
Fred had always been fascinated by Alaska and when the opportunity came for him to work in Alaska in 1967, Phyllis said, “Go ahead. Get it out of your system.” Little did she know that would be a life-changing event. Phyllis and the children moved to Kenai, Alaska in Feb. 1968. The family raised sled dogs and participated in dog racing and dog shows in the Kenai/Soldotna area. Fred and the children learned to fly single-engine airplanes. When Phyllis was asked why she didn’t learn to fly she said, “I don’t have to, I have a house full of pilots!” Fred and Phyllis always encouraged their kids to do their best and to do the job right.
Phyllis was an excellent seamstress and knitter. She enjoyed making clothes, including parkas. She knit fancy sweaters and lots of mittens. She also reupholstered furniture beautifully.
Fred became an electrical contractor and started Pacific Northern Electric (PNE) in Nome, Alaska. Phyllis moved from Soldotna to Nome to join him in 1989. Phyllis worked with Fred in the office of PNE until Fred’s retirement and the business closed. Fred rebuilt old trucks and a Model-T Ford. Fred and Phyllis rode in the ModelT during several parades in Nome. Both Phyllis and Fred were interested in the Iditarod sled dog race, keeping track of the teams and mushers. Fred and Phyllis enjoyed the friends they made in Nome and other areas of Alaska and considered them family.
Phyllis moved from Nome Sept. 1, 2021. After a short visit in Anchorage, she went to Albuquerque, NM with her daughter, Christine. Phyllis passed away while in Albuquerque.
She is survived by her daughters, Christine (& John) Freitag of Albuquerque, NM, Cindy (& Ernie) Austin of Melbourne, FL, Catherine “Kit” (& Parker) Rittgers of Anchorage, AK, and her son Daniel (& Angela) Moody of Tishomingo, OK. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Michael, Travis, Trina, Amanda, Kate, Kelly, Jason and Kayla; four step-grandchildren: KaSondra, Victoria, Bernie and Kristopher; 14 greatgrandchildren, eight step great-grandchildren and one step great-great grandson.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband Fred in 2017, her parents and a sister, Judy, and brother, Robert.
A celebration of life was held in Albuquerque, NM on Oct 8, 2021. Phyllis is greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Iditarod sled dog race at www.Iditarod.com or to the charity of your choice.