Phyllis Elaine Crouse

Phyllis Elaine (Fordyce) Crouse, 92, of Ames, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026, at Northcrest Community.

Born on August 17, 1933, to Virgil B. Fordyce and Ruth Schrader Fordyce, Phyllis spent her early years in Iowa City, Ames, and Winona, Minnesota, before graduating from high school in Clear Lake, Iowa. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and later received a master’s degree in public health from the University of Minnesota.

In 1955, Phyllis married Duane Lorenz, with whom she welcomed her daughter, Brenda. She later married Verl Crouse in 1976 and became a loving stepmother to his three adult children, Rod, Terry, and Curtis. A dedicated nurse throughout her career, Phyllis began at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Mason City and spent the rest of her professional life at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, serving in staff, supervisory, and administrative roles. She played a key part in developing the Prime Time Alive program for seniors, which continues to support the well-being of older adults in the community. Her commitment to the nursing profession lives on through the Phyllis E. Crouse Nursing Legacy Scholarship, created to help nurses pursue advanced master’s-level education.

Beyond her career, Phyllis was deeply engaged in her community as an active member of the Rotary Club of Ames, where she was named a Paul Harris Fellow. She served on the Northcrest Community Board and held leadership roles in numerous professional nursing organizations at the local, state, and national levels, including membership in the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society. After retiring in 1999, she enjoyed an active retirement filled with travel, winters in Arizona, Iowa State University sporting events, card games, antiquing, and time spent with friends and family. Above all, she cherished her role as mother to Brenda. She will be remembered as a devoted nurse and a passionate supporter of Iowa State women’s basketball.

Phyllis is survived by her son-in-law, Randy Smith of Madison, Wisconsin; extended family members Lois Crouse of Ames, Curtis and Kris Crouse of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Terry and Ken Graner of Lakeville, Minnesota; as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Verl Crouse, her daughter Brenda Lorenz Smith, and her stepson Rod Crouse.