Phyllis Ann Stroh

After living a rich, full life of love and adventure, Phyllis Ann (Hill) Stroh died peacefully in her home in Fort Collins on October 25, 2023, at the age of 88 years. She was born to Arthur (Art) Hill and Helen (Happy) Hill on April 18th 1935 in Fort Collins, Colorado. She and her family were fourth generation Colorado Natives. She had a happy childhood fishing, camping and hiking in the mountains. She attended Laurel Street School, Lincoln Junior High and graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1953. She belonged to Brownies, Girl Scouts and later Rainbow Girls as well as numerous clubs and honorary societies in Fort Collins High School. She was the editor of the school newspaper. Upon completion of high school, she entered Colorado A&M where she majored in English and Education. In college, she belonged to Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, Spur (the Sophomore Honor Society) and Hesperia, the college choir. She married Jerry Stroh in 1955. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1956. Her education was interrupted but while Jerry went to Iceland, she returned and completed her Bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in 1959.

Over the next 25 years, the couple moved to 17 Air Force Bases in the United States. While at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas, Phyllis worked as Information Officer for the Wichita Falls Times and Record News (newspaper) in addition to teaching English as a second language classes. Phyllis and Jerry had two children, Laurie born in 1961 in Washington State, a Forest Service Scientist and horse lover and David born in Reno, Nevada in 1964 who became an actor. Phyllis is survived by her two sisters, Carol Barbee of Bozeman, Montana and Shirley Hill of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Since she was unable to travel with Jerry in the Air Force, they traveled extensively after his final retirement. She traveled to 40 countries including Mexico, Canada, China, Russia and most of Europe, Central America and Scandinavia. Their travels in the U.S. included retracing the Oregon Trail across the western part of our country during the Trail's Sesquicentennial Celebration. Phyllis enjoyed traveling with Jerry, playing racquetball, biking, hiking, assembling jig-saw puzzles and snorkeling. Always a music lover, she had a pure soprano voice and played the piano. She sang with the FCHS A Capella Choir and in singing groups wherever she lived across the country. Her last group was the Colorado Women of Song in Fort Collins. Phyllis enjoyed history and was closely connected to her Colorado roots. She belonged to the Casa Casita group of Questers and to the Pioneer Association of Larimer County.

Phyllis was a loving wife and mother, the constant heart of her family. She always had a sunny outlook, a song in her heart, and was always up for an adventure. She was a great cook, a sexy lady and superior human being. 'To know her was to love her'. She will be sorely missed by family and friends. GOOD BYE PHYLLIS! Services will be held at Allnutt Funeral Home, 650 Drake Road at 10:30 on November 1st. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Pathways Hospice 305 Carpenter Road, Fort Collins, CO 80525.