Phyllis Leithold

1927 - 2015

Phyllis Jean Leithold

May 23, 1927 - November 26, 2015

Phyllis Jean Leithold (Brecht), 88, of Salem, OR, entered the presence of the Lord on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2015. Phyllis was born on May 23, 1927, in Aberdeen, WA, to Aberdeen pioneers Alfred Brecht and Sophia Cheadle Brecht. She attended Aberdeen schools and graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1945.

Phyllis attended Simpson Bible Institute in Seattle, WA for one year. She also worked for Wolffe's Department Store in Aberdeen as a salesperson and then worked in the receiving and mailing department. However, Phyllis chose the most important of all jobs - that of a wife and mother - and faithfully served her family.

In 1948, while attending Calvary Pentecostal Church in Aberdeen, WA, Phyllis met Ervin Leithold. They were married on March 24, 1951, and enjoyed 63 years together until Ervin's passing on January 17, 2015. Phyllis was a faithful wife and even in her final days would hold Ervin's picture and describe him as "the best looking guy ever!"

After 10 ½ years of marriage, their daughter, Becky, was born. Phyllis enjoyed nothing more than being a mom. She was a loving mom and did everything she could to encourage and support all of Becky's goals and pursuits.

In 1966, Ervin and Phyllis built a home in the country at Copalis Crossing. Phyllis worked hard at creating a loving, welcoming, and comfortable home environment. She took pride in keeping things clean and organized, enjoyed baking and cooking, often using the fresh produce that came from Ervin's garden. Her tuna salad sandwiches, Congo squares, green salad, spaghetti, and chocolate cake were favorites with others. She crocheted and did embroidery, loved playing Scrabble and Yahtzee, and doing crossword puzzles and word searches in her spare time. Extended family was important, so time was spent each week maintaining contact with family members on both sides of the family.

After Ervin retired, they moved to McMinnville, OR in 1990 then to Salem in 1992 to be near Becky. They later moved to Madrona Hills Retirement and then to assisted living. Upon their move to Farmington Square in November 2010, her spirited personality kept the staff on their toes and endeared herself to many up to the time of her death.

Phyllis's faith was her most important possession. Over the years, she and Ervin attended and served in local churches, most recently at Rolling Hills Baptist Church in Salem, OR. For many years she read the Bible through in a year. She was also a person of prayer and often mentioned how she'd pray for others.

Over the years, Phyllis struggled with many health and mobility issues. Then in April 2015, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Although she was not told about her cancer diagnosis, she fought it as if she knew. Her strength, will, and resolve to hang in there and rally many times is an inspiration and was a gift from God of precious time that her daughter will always treasure.

Phyllis's daughter, Becky, will miss her forever and treasure her memory and their special times together. She is also survived by a close family friend, Cynthia Geddes (Vancouver, WA), numerous nieces, nephews, and friends, and numerous current and former caregivers at Farmington Square.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ervin; sister, Alice Richardson; and brothers, Alfred, Jack, and Buck Brecht.

Graveside services will be 10:30am Thursday, December 3, 2015 at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. A Memorial service is scheduled for 11:00am Saturday, December 5, 2015, at Rolling Hills Baptist Church in Salem. Assisting the family is Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.vtgolden.com