Jessie Mae Ehrlich

Jessie was born on 1931, in Fry, Texas, to Lytle David (LD) and Beulah Marcena Allison. She was the second of four daughters. In time, the family moved to Greeley, Colorado, where Jessie met the man she would marry, Ralph Leon Ehrlich. Together they raised three children—Sandra, Russell, and Jonathan (Jon)—each of whom carried forward some thread of their mother’s curiosity, wit, and devotion to learning.

Those who knew her would describe Jessie as quick-witted, plainspoken, and spirited, with a gift for making people feel welcome. She always made time for family, offering presence and perspective. She was a remarkable woman who left an indelible mark on many.

While pregnant with her third child in 1959, Jessie was named Mrs. Colorado. Later that year, she was selected as one of eight finalists in Mrs. America.

Jessie was involved in going to Church many years and contributed in many various ways to other peoples lives.

After earning a double master’s degree in elementary education and reading education, Jessie taught elementary school for 25 years. In addition to sharing her love of writing and grammar, she gave her students a sense of belonging. Former students remembered her classroom as a place where stories bloomed and every child felt seen.

Jessie loved to travel and met the world with curiosity and humor. Over her lifetime, she visited 33 countries with family and friends, gathering stories as souvenirs.

Her commitment to friendship and community was just as wide-ranging. She founded a women’s group called Women’s Night Out. It began with 16 women and, over 25 years, grew into a circle of as many as 150 and was cherished for connection and camaraderie.

In 2013, she moved from Colorado to Kansas to be close to her daughter and her daughter’s family. There, she moved into Lakeview Village Independent living, then eventually assisted living, and finally skilled care nursing in 2022.

At the center of Jessie’s life was a simple conviction in the quiet power of showing up—for yourself and for others. She wrote, “Each of our lives is an amazing journey that, for most of us, includes both mountaintop experiences and deep valleys. One thing that I have learned is that it is not so much the big moments that shape us as the hundreds of small decisions that we make day after day, year after year.” These words were the compass by which she lived.

She is survived by her three children, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, who will carry forward her stories, strength, independence, and humor. Jessie is preceded in death by her ex-husband Ralph Ehrlich, her parents; sisters Mary and June.

The family would like to thank Lakeview Village as a whole including the nursing staff and caregivers that enriched and made her life more pleasant.

For more information about a celebration of Jessie's life message Sandra Kenney or Jon Ehrlich.

A celebration of life will be held in Spring or Summer 2026 in Greeley, Colorado with dates and times pending. Please check back often.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Jessie by reading to a child, writing a letter or telling a story to someone dear, or setting out on a journey, near or far. The Lakeview Village Foundation in Lenexa, Ks also has a foundation towards a variety of projects that benefit the residents.