Ruth Pauline (Sywassink) Philgreen

Ruth Pauline Philgreen, 95, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away surrounded by her family, on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester. She was born on June 11, 1930, in Muscatine, the daughter of James and Ruth (Froehner) Sywassink. Pauline was raised and educated in Muscatine and was a graduate of Muscatine High School. She attended Muscatine Community College and then completed her education at Iowa Wesleyan College. Pauline taught home economics for several years.

On June 6, 1954, Pauline was united in marriage to Rev. E. Edward Philgreen at Wesley United Methodist Church in Muscatine. Four children were born to this union. Pauline was a stay-at-home mom and homemaker. Family was always her number one priority. She enjoyed gardening and sewing. Pauline loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and cherished spending time with them.

Survivors include her four children, Mark (Terri) Philgreen of Manchester, Brian (Lee Ann) Philgreen of Friendswood, Texas, Duane (Michelle) Philgreen of Manchester, and Joan Philgreen of Hampton; eight grandchildren, Ashley (Ben) Buttrey, Hannah Philgreen, Jessie Sedain, Robbie Sedain, Cami (Theron Seckington) Philgreen, Calee Philgreen, Caryssa (Blake) O’Connell, and Caria (Tyler) Vogel; five great-grandchildren, Ila and Layne Buttrey, Callen, Carson, and Cassidy O’Connell; her sister, Marion Hetzler of Muscatine; sister-in-law, Ellie Sywassink of Muscatine; and several nieces and nephews.

Pauline was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rev. E. Edward Philgreen; brother, Paul Sywassink; and brother-in-law, Bill Hetzler.

Memorial video - http://youtu.be/AdNg-Th-Mq8

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