Phyllis Leona Solem was born on May 21, 1934 in Elk Point, SD to Edward and Minnie (Scott) Johnson. She grew up and attended school in Elk Point. She met and married Stanley Justine Solem on March 19, 1952 in Elk Point. They lived on the Solem family farm just north of Spink, SD their entire married life. There they raised their two children, Larry and Kathy and spent many hours playing with their grandchildren. As well as helping on the farm, Phyllis worked in town driving school bus for the Elk Point School District and worked eight years with the USDA Soil Conservation Service.