Phyllis Ann Lonnon

Phyllis Ann (Disney) Lonnon passed away in St. Paul, Minnesota, on December 10th, 2014. She was 80 years old. Phyllis was born on November 1st, 1934, in WaKeeney, Kansas, to her loving parents, Mayme Ethel (Nelson) Disney and Robert Eugene Disney. Phyllis was the sister of three brothers, Bob, Walt, and Kep. Her parents and brothers, Robert William Disney and Walter Eugene Disney, preceded her death. Phyllis' dear brother, Richard Kepple Disney, currently lives with his family on the East Coast.
As a young girl, Phyllis enjoyed participating in Sunday dinners and the large extended family gatherings of the Disney and Nelson families. She helped her family, who owned the Mobil Gas Station right off Interstate 70 in Ellis, Kansas, for many years.
Phyllis attended Ellis High School, where she enjoyed her friends and cheerleading. During high school, she worked at Geyer's Rexall Drug Store. She attended the high school basketball games of her future husband, Merle.
On August 16, 1962, Phyllis married Merle Dean Lonnon. The ceremony took place at the Methodist Church. Following the ceremony, a reception was held at the Disney home on Ross Street in Ellis, Kansas.
Phyllis's teaching career began after she received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Kansas State University and a Master's Degree in Home Economics from the University of Arizona in Tucson. For ten years, Phyllis taught home economics in schools in Colby, Kansas, and Parker and Tucson, Arizona.
When Merle graduated from college, Phyllis and Merle moved to Arden Hills, MN, and started their family of four children. Phyllis focused all her energy on nurturing and supporting her family. She perfected the art of teaching and designing almost anything, including furniture, clothing, food, and family life. Phyllis opened her home and yard to the Noble Road neighborhood, creating an environment where her children and friends always felt welcome. All four of her children have fond memories of those Noble Road years.
Phyllis encouraged her children to enjoy life, study hard, and focus on a college education. By the time their college years were over, Ardith, Gene, Greg, and Daryl all had technical degrees, either Computer Science or Electrical Engineering, from the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology. Many went on to obtain advanced degrees, too.
During their retirement years, Phyllis and Merle enjoyed working on and visiting the Disney family home they owned in Ellis, Kansas. They traveled around the country to visit their growing family, with the addition of eight grandchildren. Ardith's family, including Sam and their children Julia, and Grant, grew up in Colorado. Gene's family with Rosanna and their children Matthew, Samantha, Cole, and Paige live in Florida. Greg and Melissa live in Idaho. Daryl's family, including Sudha and their children Maya and Ethan, also live in Colorado.
Phyllis's husband, Merle, passed away on August 1st, 2022, in Boulder, Colorado. In 2008, Merle and Phyllis built memorial boxes and planned to be buried together. So, their memorial will be a joint ceremony honoring them both on October 8, 2022, at Mount Hope Cemetery in Ellis, Kansas, at 1:30 PM.
In place of flowers, please consider donating to the American Heart Association, in honor of Phyllis, at https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give.
Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637
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