Phyllis Elliott

Phyllis Lona Kleppen-Mason-Elliott was born January 1, 1956 in St. Louis, MO in a home with six other family members in a three room house. Phyllis was 16 minutes older than her twin brother. She never gave him any grief over being held back in 2nd grade, and for that he is grateful. She blazed the trail ahead of him and did the normal things in school. When he played sports, he could always hear her voice from all the others cheering him on. She graduated from Alameda High School in 1974.

She married Don Mason and had their son Paul. We, as a growing family, spent the usual holidays, events, & gatherings together.

Later on Phyllis divorced & started life as a single working mom and worked several different jobs. One of those jobs was in a casino up in Black Hawk where she meet Dan. They later married on August 10, 2001 & her life changed forever. Everyone could tell that they were in love. Dan is a drag racer, he got Phyllis to join him, & she was racing a 1975 Yellow Chevy Camaro.

Life was moving happily forward when in 2007, Phyllis was diagnosed with cancer and she started to struggle with her health. Dan was always there for her. We still continued to get together for holidays and different events. She enjoyed crocheting, cooking, eating, playing cards, & watching the Denver Broncos, even when they were losing.

Phyllis was a fighter and even though it was hard on her, she beat the cancer. But the treatment took a toll on her. She would make the best of it but was struggling with her breathing. She was in and out of the hospital until this last visit when she lost her fight. We never heard her complain about her situation. One of the last statements she made was about what she was going through was unfair for Dan. Not unfair for her, but unfair for the man she loved.

Phyllis, we all love you and already miss you. You will be in our hearts for the rest of our lives.

Phyllis Elliott is preceded in death by her father, Arnold S. Kleppen, and mother, Mary E. Kleppen. She is survived by her son, Paul Mason; husband, Dan Elliott; stepsons, David (Rachel) Gillespie, Brian (Yon) Gillespie, and Ross Gillespie; stepdaughters, Tina Elliott, Keri Elliott, and Geri Elliott; brother, Mike (Jane) Kleppen; sisters, Sandy (Larry) Janiesch, and Paula Kleppen; and brother, Phill (Sue) Kleppen.