Phyllis Irene Rinker passed away on December 12, 2025 in Boise, Idaho.

Phyllis was born July 5, 1926, to Isaiah and Hazel Yearous and raised in northeastern Colorado on their farm near Fort Morgan, Colorado. She was one of eight children.

After graduating from high school, she attended the St. Joseph Hospital nursing program in Denver, Colorado, and received her Registered Nursing degree.

In 1950, she married Edward Rinker in Denver. They made their home there and started a family. Phyllis and Ed moved the family several times over his long career with Bell Telephone Systems: Albuquerque, New York, New Jersey, Denver again, Boise and Salt Lake City. In 1981 they moved back to Boise to enjoy their retirement.

Each of those moves, with four children in tow, was an adventure and a trial, but they had many experiences and made friends wherever they lived. Phyllis and Ed had a strong and happy marriage and were married for 66 years until Ed’s death in 2014.

Phyllis worked off and on as an RN while raising her family. She enjoyed her nursing career, especially as her children became more independent. In Boise, she worked for St. Alphonsus Hospital and later as a pediatric nurse for Drs. Swinehart and Venning.

Phyllis also enjoyed her home and family. She kept a beautiful home wherever she lived. She was a great cook, a talented seamstress and enjoyed knitting and water aerobics in her later years. Her devotion to the Catholic faith kept her grounded and strong. Her children had a happy childhood and have many loving memories of life over the years with their Mom and Dad.

Phyllis is survived by her four children: Robert Rinker; MaryAnn Budzianowski; Sue Magenis and husband Kevin; and Beth Mills and husband Mark; 10 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and her brother Leonard Yearous.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; parents, Isaiah and Hazel Yearous; 6 of her siblings; son- in- law, Rand Budzianowski; and 2 infant great grandchildren.

The family wishes to sincerely thank the staff at Morningstar Assisted Living and White Oak Hospice for caring for Phyllis throughout the past several years.

Special thanks to Karen Bucholz for being such a special friend to Phyllis and a loving advocate for her wellbeing and caring support of the family as well.

The family plans a Celebration of Life at a later date in the new year. Memorial gifts may be made to Catholic Charities of Idaho  https://www.ccidaho.org/.