Phyllis Jane Gantz

July 24, 1923 - August 31, 2018

Our beloved and adored mother, Phyllis Jane left this earth on August 31, 2018. Surrounded by family, she was lifted to God with so much love and peacefulness. She was the most precious and caring soul and many are grieving the loss of the most wonderful woman, especially her children. Born in North Dakota, she was the youngest of 10 children and her own mother passed away just over a month later. Her father, a farmer, was unable to keep her and gave her up for adoption to a family in Seattle. Shortly after the Great Depression hit and her adopted family had no means to keep her and sent her back to her biological family in North Dakota. Unfortunately, however, her father was unable to keep her and she was adopted for a second time to a family in Illinois, the Newell’s. From there she attended college at Northwestern in Evanston, IL and soon thereafter met her first husband, Norman Drake. Together they moved to Colorado Springs and raised their six children, Steven, Andrea, Joanne, Deborah, Brian and Christine. Eventually Norman’s job took them to Greeley, Colorado and Phyllis was a stay-at-home mom and enjoyed all the craziness of having her kids under foot. Phyllis met and married George Gantz and they lived on a farm together in Ault for 35 years. Despite her circumstances or challenges, she was always wanting to make everyone around her feel special. Being an only child, and adopted, it was always her wish to have a large family and she simply adored children. Through her 95 years, she would watch her family grow to include 16 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. No words could fully appreciate or describe the person she was, but in brief, here are a few examples from her family: "She is thoughtful, kind, loving and sharing, helpful and wise, warmhearted and caring…she makes me laugh, cry, and brings me joy throughout each and every year! She was my best friend." "You have been such an influence in my life…you have helped me through all the difficult times with encouragement and confidence in myself. I think we are alike in a lot of ways but you are just better and such an inspiration." "You are the most thoughtful and giving person, I love your sense of humor and your facial expressions I will cherish forever. You never missed saying “Thank You” for anything anyone ever did for you, even the little things." "All who know you admire, love and respect you…you are a blessing in each and every one of our lives. Your love for us has always been 24 hours a day. You have been a survivor and the world was a better place because of you." "You were always the sweetest Grandma in the world. You never missed a birthday, a celebration, or any special occasion. You always had a special way about you, that made us laugh." "Over the years with Mom, she was always there supporting me and encouraging me to go after my dreams." To have known our mother was to realize what a wonderful impression she made on those that she touched. You were a spitfire up until your last breath and our memories of you will be cherished and shared as you are the foundation for the legacy you grew and we are all honored to carry it forward. We love you immensely and we cannot wait to dance with you again in Heaven. We miss you but we know you will never truly leave our side. Phyllis is survived by all of her children and their families: Steven and his wife Faye, grandchildren Clint and Nathan; Andrea and her husband Wayne Metcalf, and grandchildren, Amy and Alan; Joanne and grandchildren, Jason, Chad and Bryan; Debbie and grandchildren, Dana and Brooke; Brian and his wife Donna and grandchildren Shyla and Brandon; Christine and grandchildren Shane, Jackie and Robbie. In all, there are 14 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, September 5 at Fort Collins First United Methodist Church. Interment will take place privately.