Phyllis Elaine Schrader

Phyllis Elaine Schrader, born December 17, 1930 passed on May 16th, 2023 at the age of 92. Phyllis was the daughter of Vera and Dorance Stone. Phyllis was born in her Aunt Vida’s house in Fort Collins. She grew up with her mother and father, three sisters, Shirley, Dorayne, and Marilyn and one brother LeMoyne in Denver, CO. Her parents ran boarding houses and restaurants where Phyllis helped out when she wasn’t in school or roller skating around Capitol Hill and Cheeseman Park. Phyllis attended East High School in Denver and Fort Collins High School in Fort Collins where she graduated from and was Prom Queen her Senior year. She then attended Colorado Aggies (now CSU) and was a Delta Delta Delta sorority sister. She fell in love with her husband Wayne while at College. Wayne was driving a farm delivery fuel truck in those days and scheduled his routes around her class schedule, that way he could pick her up in the truck and take her to her next class. They were married on August 12th, 1951 in Grand Lake, CO whereafter they honeymooned in Jackson Hole, WY at Jenny Lake. She worked for a short time at the Phone Co. while Wayne was finishing college. They then moved to Delta CO, where Wayne was a County Agent. Their son Perry was born in Delta in 1953 and after that the young family moved back to Fort Collins. Wayne went to work with his Father at Schrader Oil Co.. Steve and Jennifer were born in the next few years making a family of five. Together, Wayne and Phyllis continued to build a successful business which was an integral part of the the Northern Colorado Community. Phyllis dedicated her life to taking care of their three children, keeping up with her husband, and packing coolers. She was involved in many of her kids activities, acting as Den Mother for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Bluebirds and Campfire Girls. Wayne taught the family how to ski which evolved into raising three ski racers. She then became the house Mother to 9 kids in their home in Vail, Co where the kids were competing on the Vail Ski Team. Phyllis then spent many hours on cold mountains gatekeeping and cheering her kids on. Wayne worked during the week in Fort Collins and came up to Vail every weekend. They traveled the world with their wonderful friends and family and also became avid boaters even though Phyllis didn’t swim. Over the years they owned several boats in which she could walk the bow, throw lines and navigate her way around charts and maps expertly. However, one day the family was on Lake Grandby in a tippy yellow boat out on rough water. She was sitting on the floor of the boat with a towel over her head scared to death. Ironically that yellow boat later sank on Horsetooth. She was founded in her fear! She and Wayne owned several Motorhomes in which they traveled the states with him at the helm and the family onboard. She loved playing golf and tennis with her family and friends and in her quest to keep up with Wayne she learned how to fly fish as well. What a trooper. Family was, without a doubt, the most important thing to Phyllis. She was a wonderful mother, wife, sister, aunt and grandma. Phyllis’s gift was making everyone who encountered her feel loved and well taken care of. She maintained life long friendships. Though she was always put together and composed, those who knew her experienced her funny sense of humor and her good hearted teasing. She was an exceptional homemaker, making the best pies, jellies, and pickles around. Her family will fondly remember the delicious pancake breakfasts she would serve at the family ranch. We will forever remember her delicious meals she made in her electric skillet and her tin slide top cake pan. Phyllis had a yellow skylark convertible that she drove with the top down. In the later years she drove a green BMW with the top down as well. Her favorite colors were always yellow and green. You could catch her often sneaking chocolate kisses and sipping on canned diet coke. Phyllis was also a seasoned gardener and loved maintaining all flowers but especially violets and yellow roses. She and her husband Wayne also maintained a beautiful large garden and fruit trees at their home from which they always shared their bounty with family and friends. An extraordinary seamstress, she sewed many beautiful clothes for herself and her family, including her own wedding dress. She also loved needlepointing and the family will forever cherish the Christmas stockings she lovingly made each one of us. Her handiwork can still be seen on the kneelers at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. She spent many hours volunteering on Altar Guild which she called “Doing the Lord’s Dishes”. She loved her PEO sisterhood and she was involved in an investment club, a book club, supper club and bridge club. Phyllis left her mark in our community in many ways including giving generous support to Project Self Sufficiency, Habitat for Humanity, the Fort Collins Library, Colorado State University, Poudre Valley Hospital, and St. Lukes Episcopal Church among other Non Profits that were near and dear to her heart. Phyllis has navigated through a full circle of this life. She took it all in at a breakneck speed that her loving Husband and family ran. She kept up gracefully, her hair and lipstick always perfect! These are some quotes her loved ones would like to share; -Her Husband Wayne said, “Phyllis always made me smile everywhere we went whether to meetings, conventions or just out with friends. She was a wonderful wife and a wonderful Mother”. -I loved to make her laugh, she had such a warm smile. -She had amazing listening skills and I loved how organized she was in keeping the family together and active. Her gentle tone and sweet nature were unmatched. Grandma’s demeanor could soften the most obtuse and bold personality, her heart was so full of care, she was so loved -Grandma’s presence was calming. She was like sunshine, she warmed you up inside and put you in a good mood. She was the most compassionate warm and sincere person who never left anybody questioning her love for them. I am grateful to have a bit of her beautiful sensitive genetics in me. -A friend once asked what her lucky number was, she said it was 7. When asked why, she said because she had 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Phyllis is survived by Wayne her husband of 72 years who she often called Waynezie Love, son Perry Schrader (Juli), son Steve Schrader (Susie), daughter Jennifer (Fozzie), seven grandchildren; Clay Schrader (Erica), Casey Schrader, Caree Prince (Townsend), Eric Schrader (Michelle), Kyle Schrader, Kaitlin Hollister (Geoff), Sarah Brutscher (Sean), seven great grandchildren; Braxton Schrader, Brodi Schrader, Rozlynn Schrader, Baker Schrader, Jackson Schrader, Pippa Prince and Roanie Prince. Our beloved Wife, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Aunt and Friend will certainly be missed. We are grateful she is now in the arms of her Savior and Loved ones. As Phyllis’ family, we want to thank the many family members, friends and professionals who contributed to help her live her best life. We are so thankful to all her wonderful caregivers who loved and cared for her in her last days. In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to Habitat for Humanity or Project Self Sufficiency. A service will be held at St. Lukes Episcopal Church on June 8, 2023 11:00am