Phyllis LaRue Elshof

On Tuesday, June 10th, 2025, Phyllis (Smith) Elshof, 88, passed away at Life Care Center of Longmont. Phyllis was born on December 31, 1936 in Valley County Nebraska to Arthur and Anna Smith. She was the youngest of nine children raised on a farm near Ord, Nebraska. Her family later moved to North Loup, Nebraska where she attended North Loup Public Schools. She was in high school when she met Alden. They married on July 18,1954, and in 1964, they moved to Longmont, Colorado. Phyllis worked for St. Vrain Valley Food Services from 1971 - 2009 starting as a cook, working her way up to Kitchen Manager and ending as a District Supervisor overseeing half of the school kitchens in the district. She also spent many years working seasonally at Anderson Farms Fall Festival alongside many other family members.

Phyllis and Alden were very active in many clubs including Hix ‘N’ Chix Square Dance Club, Buick Car Club, St. Vrain Car Club and the Denver Model A Club. They took many trips around the US and Canada in their restored Model A car and enjoyed taking it on trips over Trail Ridge Road to celebrate their wedding anniversary every year. Phyllis was also very active at Messiah Lutheran Church, Women in Mission, and Country Club. She loved hiking, camping and doing jigsaw puzzles. After retirement, they spent several winters snow birding in Mesa, Arizona.

She is survived by her husband, Alden Elshof of almost 71 years; Three children Troy Elshof (Caprise Robbins), Brenda Anderson (Jim), John Elshof (Karen); Five granddaughters, Rachelle (Michael) Wegele, Ashley (Cameron) Hursh, Jessica (Travis) Paswaters, Megan (Aaron) Bell and Laurren (Marcos) Munoz; and Twelve great-grandchildren, ‘Anela Stone, Jace, Taitymn and Talyn Hursh, Zade, Evan, Tyler, and Macie Paswaters, Lucas and Molly Bell, Sebastian and Clara Dawsey and two sisters-in-law, Ardie Elshof and Beth Elshof. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Anna (Dishaw) Smith, three brothers, five sisters and daughter-in-law, JoAnn Elshof.

Visitation will be held before the funeral service from Noon - 2:00 PM. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, June 20th, 2025 at Messiah Lutheran Church. 1335 Francis St. Longmont, CO 80501. A short reception will be held at Messiah following the service, then the reception will move to Anderson Farms at 4:30 where food will be provided. All are welcome.

Memorial contributions can be made to Messiah Lutheran Church.