January 2, 1927 ~ January 1, 2026
Phyllis Mae (Morehead) Wherry, 98 years passed away on January 1, 2026 at the Pawnee County Memorial Hospital. Phyllis was born on January 2, 1927 in Pawnee City, Nebraska to Walter James and Nellie (Pestinger) Morehead.
Phyllis graduated from Pawnee City High School in 1944 and attended the University of Nebraska. She also attended classes at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and graduated from the American University in Washington, D.C.
Phyllis married David Wherry in Washington, D.C. to this union one son was born Kenneth David. Phyllis and David later divorced.
Phyllis worked for the Senate Rules and Administration Committee in Washington, D.C. and later worked for the United States Air Force at the Pentagon.
While living in England for 2 years, she was President of the Air Force Officers Wives Club and upon returning to the United States she was the President of the Mother’s Club at St. Stephens School for Boys in Alexandria, VA where her son Kenneth, attended school and graduated.
While enrolled at the American University, she worked for the Criminal Justice Department the University Law School. She worked for many years at the Brooking Institution, a think tank in Washington, D.C. and retired in 1993.
Music was very important part of her life. She sang for 3 years in the chancel choirs of the Metropolitan Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. and Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida.
After she moved back to Pawnee City, she became a member of the Presbyterian Church and served as Moderator of the Deacons for 3 years and was an Elder for 3 years, a member of Presbyterian Women as well as singing in the church choir. She was an active member of the Southeast Nebraska Community Band. She was a member of Coterie Club serving as its President; the Thursday afternoon bridge club; Wednesday night bridge club and was a 60 plus member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood serving as President of Chapter J in Alexandria, VA, as well as President of Chapter AV, Pawnee City. She was a tennis player and golfer. She was an avid believer in Animal Rights and was opposed to any type of animal abuse.
Her family was most important to her and her loyalty was unshakable.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Nellie Morehead, infant sister, Mary Judith Morehead and brother James Richard (Curly) Morehead.
She leaves to mourn her son, Kenneth David, daughter-inlaw, Kerrie, granddaughter, Kristine, Grandson, Kevin, 3-greatgrandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and numerous friends.
Service will be Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church/ First Christian Church, Pawnee City, Nebraska. Visitation will be on Friday, January 19, 2026 from 9:00 a.m.8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5-7 at Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska. The service will be Live Streamed for those who are unable to attend at our Facebook page Wherry Mortuary/Wherry Monument. Interment at the Pawnee City Cemetery, Pawnee City. In lieu of flowers memorials to Pawnee County Medical Foundation, Pawnee City. Online condolence can be left at www. wherrymortuary.com.