Phyllis Sheffer

1944 - 2020

Phyllis "Phyl" Sheffer, 76, of Longmont died December 9, 2020, at the TRU Hospice Care Center at Longmont United Hospital. She was born February 15, 1944, in Parsons, KS, to Gene and Maxine (Eplee) Gatton. Phyl grew up on a farm outside of Parsons, KS with her four brothers, playing outside and riding her horse "Bell". In 1956, at age 12, she met Terry Sheffer at a one room country school outside of Parsons, KS. There she took a liking to Terry and chased him around the schoolgrounds. Phyl and Terry started liking each other and dated throughout high school. Phyl attended Labette County High School, graduating in 1962. In high school, she played French horn, was part of the Homecoming Royalty Court and was Pep Club President. During the summer while in high school, she traveled around Kansas playing catcher and 3rd base for the Parkanas, an AAU fast pitch travel softball team. In one game, she hit four home runs! After graduation, she attended Beauty School where she became an experimental platinum blonde much to her father's dismay. Terry and Phyl got engaged in the spring of 1963 and were married that summer on June 22 in Parsons, KS. Soon after they were married, they moved to Wellington, KS, where their first two daughters were born. In July of 1968, they moved to Boulder, CO. The following year they moved to Longmont where they bought their first home, and their third daughter was born. Phyl was busy being a homemaker raising her three daughters and started working in 1982 after her first daughter went to college. She worked at Boulder Home Health Care and enjoyed sharing warm hearted stories about the individuals she served. In 1987, Phyl began working for Safeway in the juice bar and floral departments until her retirement in 2000. She enjoyed her job and the people with whom she worked. Her passion for sports continued throughout her life. She played on the Longmont women's city league basketball and softball teams, both winning state championships. She also enjoyed golf and cycling and participated in Colorado's Ride the Rockies for several years. Phyl had a passion for travel and went on many trips with Terry, other family members and friends. Among the travel highlights were trips to Japan, Lake Powell, New England, the Caribbean, Cozumel and Cabo San Lucas. Phyl was a lucky lady and loved bingo and playing slot machines. On most occasions, she would win the jackpot and come home with more money in her pockets than when she left. Most of all, Phyl treasured her role as "Baby Grandma". She had a significant influence on the upbringing of her two granddaughters Lindsey and Madison. "Baby Grandma" spent countless hours watching and entertaining them and never missed attending any athletic or school performances. Later in life, she was blessed with two more granddaughters, Ashley and Brooke Hanna. Phyl was proceeded in death by her parents, and brothers Bill, Bob and Russell Gatton. Survivors include her husband, Terry; and children, Debby and Dennis Precht, Stacey Sheffer, Stephanie and Doug Hanna, all of Longmont; her brother Leon Gatton of Altamont, KS and "Sister" Peggy Gatton of Parsons, KS; granddaughters Dr. Lindsey Precht and Cody Humphrey, Madison and Carter Kirschner, Ashley Hanna and Brooke Hanna; many nieces and nephews and numerous dear friends. A private service will be held at 12:00pm (MST), December 17th, 2020. There will be a livestream of the service. The link will be available on Phyllis' page at www.howemortuary.com under service times. Private burial will be held at Mountain View Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to TRU Community Care Hospice in c/o Howe Mortuary. Please visit www.howemortuary.com to also share condolences and memories with the family.