Phyllis J. Quail, age 81, of Brookings, died Monday, March 21, 2011, at the United Retirement Center. Visitations will be from 5-8 P.M., Monday April 4, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. No services are planned. Phyllis Jean (Thode) Quail was born May 20,1929,in Lake County, South Dakota, the daughter of Carl and Alvina (Rentz) Thode. Phyllis received her education in Rutland, South Dakota, and was a graduate of Rutland High School. She was united in marriage to Vernon L. Quail on September 24,1948. After their marriage they farmed the Quail Tree Claim quarter which was owned by Vernon's parents. In 1965 Phyllis and Vernon moved back to Brookings where Phyllis worked at the Brookings Hospital. Phyllis loved spending time with her family and enjoyed cooking everything from lefse to turkey and dressing. There were always cookies and homemade treats in the house. Her grandchildren loved her special k bars. Winters in the Quail home were a little less cold thanks to her hot cocoa and toast. Phyllis loved to crochet and was famous for the rugs she made, shealsoenjoyed reading novels.Shecollected glass birds, especially quails. The neighborhood squirrels and birds were always in fine form with the seed and bread she left for them. One of Phyllis's favorite things was to go on a picnic with Vernon. Survivors include two sons; Daniel {Nancy} of St.Cloud, MN and David (Zona) of Sinai, SD; a daughter Deanna (Rory) Pierce, of Wheat Ridge, CO; two grandchildren; Stacy Sunberg and Shane (Denelle) Quail; 2 step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, Vincent, Ezra and Eben;and three step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon, on December 24, 2010; her parents; three brothers; and three sisters.