Phyllis Irene (Paulson) Starich, age 79 of Virginia, died Thursday, February 19, 2026 at the Essentia Health - Virginia Hospital.  She was born on February 24, 1946 in Milwaukee, WI to Medford and Tekla Irene (Anderson) Paulson.  She was a 1964 graduate of the Virginia High School and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Bemidji State College.  She married Richard Starich in December of 1967 in Virginia. 

Phyllis was a longtime resident of Virginia, teaching for 37 years in Embarrass and Virginia and retiring in 2003, but continuing to substitute teach after that.  She was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Virginia, a 50 year member of the Sons of Norway, and the ADK (Alpha Delta Kappa) teacher group. 

She is survived by her husband:  Richard;  children:  Daniel (Bryleigh) Starich of Britt, and David (Brooke) Starich of Britt;  grandchildren:  Jake and Kate Starich of Britt;  siblings:  Judy Palso of Hibbing, Marilyn Turnbull of Tower, and Bill (Jill) Paulson of Cherry.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother: Robert who died at birth.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the11:00 a.m. Memorial Service Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Virginia.  Pastor Liz Cheney will be the officiant.  Inurnment will be at a later date.

Family Services are Provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.  To leave a remembrance online, see www.baumanfuneralhome. com