Phyllis Aagaard Berstler

Age 88, a resident of Albuquerque since 1956, died, April 28, 2014. She was born on October 21, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois. She was preceded in death by husband, Mel Berstler of 45 years in July 1993; her sister, Lucille Sandvik and parents, Howard and Edna Aagaard. She is survived by her daughter, Linda McLaughlin; nieces, Joan Lewis, Joyce Sandvik, Lynne Martin, and Nancy Freer. Phyllis attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana where she majored in Spanish and was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. She graduated from Austin High School in Chicago in 1943. She met husband Mel at WGN Radio in Chicago where she was a record turner and receptionist. They married in 1948 and lived in Banning, California, Oceanside, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada before moving to Albuquerque. Phyllis co-owned Broadcast Systems Co. with Mel from 1956 to 1987 and was the office manager and bookkeeper. She loved knitting, raising African violets, playing bridge, traveling, watching NBA basketball on TV, and going to the casinos. Special thanks to Cathy Tierney, formerly with Home Instead Senior Care, all of the staff at St. Theresa Healthcare, and Ambercare Hospice. Phyllis will be deeply missed by her daughter. In lieu of flowers, donations in Phyllis' name can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, New Mexico Chapter, 9500 Montgomery NE, Suite 121, Albuquerque, NM 87111. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2014, 6:30 p.m. at St. John's United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110.