Phyllis was born in Highmore, S.D. to Milo and Emma Jones, who soon thereafter moved to Rapid City, where Phyllis grew up. She attended Central High School, and ultimately married Bob Heller Sr., an airman stationed at Ellsworth AFB.

It was in Deadwood where Phyllis established her personae as a self-reliant independent woman as a managing partner in the Heller's Conoco gas station. It was not uncommon to see her pumping gas for customers, washing car windows, and checking tire pressure (tasks considered "unwomanly" at the time) all the while raising three children. She spent the last 20 years of her working life as a cake decorator at Family Thrift, where her love for color and art flourished. Some of her paintings still hang on the wall at the Canyon Lake Senior Citizen's Center.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Heller Sr. who passed away in 2015 after a yearlong battle with cancer. Also preceding her in death was a young son, Michael who died at age two; and an infant grandson, Danny, who died at birth. Danny's mother, Marlis Cranny, Phyllis' daughter, passed away in 2004 after an 8 year battle with cancer. Phyllis also lost her youngest son Daniel, who was killed in 2006 from injuries received in a trucking accident.

She is survived by her oldest son, Bob Jr and his wife Cynthia, now living in Rapid City. Phyllis has three surviving grandchildren, Rodger Cranny, son of Marlis Cranny, Bonnie Heller, daughter of Bob Jr. and his wife Cynthia, and Christopher MacBurnett, son of Daniel.

Also surviving Phyllis is her second husband Bob Berube. Phyllis and Bob met at the Canyon Lake Senior Citizen's Center and became fast friends after realizing both had suffered the loss of their beloved spouses. It wasn't long before the friendship grew into something richer than either had anticipated, and they were married in Idaho on April 19, 2016. The Berube family's strong love for Phyllis was best described by Bob's grandson when he said, "She makes my Grandpa happy". The Heller family loved Bob, as it was obvious to them, he brought Phyllis a renewed sense of happiness and zest for life that can diminish with the loss of a beloved husband or wife.

A graveside interment service for family and close personal friends of Phyllis will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 19 , at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. A motorcade will depart at 9:15 a.m. from the parking lot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints, 2822 Canyon Lake Drive, Rapid City. Friends of the Heller-Berube family are invited to share memories of Phyllis at a Remembrance Reception following interment at 11:30 a.m. at the LDS Church, followed by a luncheon provided by the LDS Relief Society.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established in the name of Phyllis Heller-Berube to benefit the Canyon Lake Senior Citizens Center, 2900 Canyon Lake Drive, Rapid City, SD 57702 . Phone: 605-721-8710 .