Phyllis LaRena DakinsNovember 30, 1920December 4, 2016Phyllis LaRena Dakins passed away peacefully on December 4, 2016, just a few days after her 96th birthday. Phyllis was born on November 30, 1920 to Fred and Lucille (Batson) Meekins in St. Anthony, Iowa. She grew up there with her three brothers, Jerry, Leland, and Loren, and graduated from St. Anthony High School. Despite financial struggles, the Meekins home was always filled with music. Lucille was an accomplished pianist, and Phyllis often blended her alto voice with Jerry's tenor, performing duets at church functions, community events, and occasionally, on the radio.In 1939, Phyllis married Donald Dakins from nearby Zearing, and they welcomed son Craig in 1941. The young family relocated to Southern California in 1942. Daughter Susan was born in 1952. Don, Phyllis, and Susan moved to Reno in 1967 where Phyllis lived for the next 33 years. A Carson City resident since 2000, Phyllis has resided at Sierra Place Assisted Living for the past five years. Her family is so grateful to the entire staff whose friendship and compassionate care of our mom has been greatly appreciated. Always proud of her Scots-Irish heritage, Phyllis thoroughly enjoyed her membership in the Nevada Society of Scottish Clans. She treasured the many friends she made when she belonged to St. Paul's Methodist Church and the First Congregational Church of Reno.Our mom loved to laugh and have a good time with relatives and friends. Food was usually central to these gatherings, with Phyllis contributing wonderful Midwestern comfort dishes along with cookies, cakes, and pies. She never met a stranger, and was welcoming to all. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, and her husband, Don. She is survived by son Craig of Kuna, Idaho, and daughter Susan (Ron) James of Zearing, Iowa, along with her grandchildren, Bryce (Janice) Dakins, Traci (Terri) Dakins-Rogers, Annie (Bryan) Grey, Reed James, and Levi Dakins. Great-grandchildren Cadence and Matthew Grey, as well as sister-in-law Florence Meekins, also survive her.Capitol City Cremation of Carson City has been entrusted with Phyllis's care in Nevada. Under the direction of Fredregill Funeral Home, she will be laid to rest next to Don in Zearing Cemetery.