Phyllis Laurine Cross, of rural Greeley, was born Feb. 15, 1934, in Hebron, Nebraska, to Edward and Florence (Brown) Corliss. She passed away March 14 at home at the age of 85.
Born in the midst of the Great Depression, drought and Dust Bowl, her father claimed she was the only crop he successfully raised that year. She grew up on the family farm with her parents and four siblings, living a life that was full of hard work, responsibilities, love, and family.
She graduated from Hebron High School at age 16 and was awarded the University of Nebraska's Regents Scholarship for academic excellence. During her undergraduate studies, she received a fellowship to attend Wayne State University in Detroit, where she was instrumental in developing a dignified and structured teaching program for children with cerebral palsy and other developmental challenges. She furthered her education by completing a master's degree program in special education at the then-Colorado State Teachers College.
After graduation, she began teaching special education for the Cherry Creek School District. While living in Aurora, she and her cousin, Mary attended an airman's USO St. Patrick's dance at Lowry Air Force Base as a service project for their church. At that, she met her soon to be husband, Arthur (Gene) Cross. It was love at first sight for the couple.
They married Dec. 23, 1960, in Greeley. Phyllis and Gene began their married life together at Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico, and started a family. Daughters Rosemary and Sarah were born, followed by son Nathan, who passed away shortly after his birth.
Gene's military career involved extensive travel, and the family traveled together across the country, living in New Mexico, Colorado, Massachusetts, Alaska, and Michigan. Phyllis enjoyed her role as a military spouse and mother. Every move was a geographical and cultural teaching opportunity for her, as she taught the family facts and history about the landmarks they experienced along the way.
Phyllis held teaching positions in all of these locations and was active in her daughters' school activities and Girl Scouts. She was a Girl Scout leader and summer camp counselor, wearing bells tied to her shoestrings to keep bears away during hikes. Their home was an active hub for neighborhood children, as Phyllis was always coming up with fun activities that kept kids coming back. They rode bikes together, skated, skied, sledded, and camped. She taught them to cook, sew, and be crafty.
Following Gene's military retirement, the family returned to Colorado. They lived in Kersey until their daughters completed high school, moved to Brighton in 1982, eventually returning to the Kersey area.
Phyllis retired from the education field as director of the Brighton Presbyterian Children's Center in 1996. She then volunteered as an educator at the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster for several years and joined a creative writing group to pursue her passion for writing short stories that were recollections of her life experiences. She thoroughly enjoyed writing and handed out books to everyone she met.
She was a cheerful and positive person with a heart of gold. She will be fondly remembered by all the people whose lives she touched over the years. What a beautiful difference one life made.
Survivors are the love of her life for 60 years, Arthur (Gene) Cross; daughters, Rosemary Churchill, of Woodinville, Washington, and Sarah (John) Wardlaw, of Greeley; grandchildren, Rory (Sarah) Scott; of Greensboro, North Carolina, Shelby and Melisa Wardlaw of Greeley, Jeff Wardlaw of Tempe, Arizona, Dillon and Madison Churchill and Evan Boldrey of Woodinville; great-grandson Declan Scott, of Greensboro; brothers, Bob (Viola) Corliss, Ken (Sharon) Corliss and Herb (Diann) Corliss of Greeley; a sister, Marilyn (Jerry) Moore, of Palisade Nebraska; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jerry (Donna) Cross and Joyce Vestal of Glendale, Arizona; a slew of cousins; 13 nieces and nephews; and her best friend for more than 60 years, Marita Kuhlenengel, of Syracuse, Nebraska.
Her parents; a son, Nathan; and a newphew, Scott Corliss, preceded her in death.
Services were March 25 at Allnutt Macy Funeral Chapel in Greeley. A brief reception and burial followed at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Greeley.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the first responders at the Platte Valley Fire Department in Kersey for their responsiveness to Phyllis' medical emergency needs over the past few years. We will be forever grateful for your services. Contributions can be made to the Platte Valley Fire Department, in Phyllis' honor, in care of Allnutt Funeral Services. Please visit www.allnuttgreeley.com to send condolences to the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Death is never something easy to deal with. May you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
With Deep Sympathy
April 24, 2019
My condolences to the family for the loss of your loved one. May the peace of God comfort you during this difficult time.
Virginia
April 17, 2019
As you remember your love one, as God heals your broken hearts (Psalm 147:3), may your treasured memories continue to bring you peace, comfort, and strength to endure.
April 14, 2019
May our Heavenly Father take you in His loving arms and provide you with the comfort and support that you need during these difficult times. Our thought and prayers are with you. (Psalms 94:19) Please accept our sincere condolences.
March 31, 2019
So sorry to hear about your loss, may the wonderful memories of your loved one sustain you until God's promises are fulfilled. (John 6:40)
Callie
March 31, 2019
May you find comfort in knowing your loved one is resting safely in God's limitless memory. Psa. 147:4
carolyn
March 30, 2019
My sincere condolences to the family for the loss of your loved one. May prayers strengthen you and memories comfort you, and may our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loves us, comfort your hearts and "make you firm." 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 verses 16 and 17.
March 30, 2019
Please accept my dearest and heartfelt sympathy; I am so sorry for your loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" sustain your family during this difficult time. Isaiah 61:1,2
RK
March 30, 2019
Please accept my dearest and heartfelt sympathy; I am so sorry for your loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" sustain your family during this difficult time. Isaiah 61:1,2
March 30, 2019
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