Phyllis Rose Lister

Phyllis Rose Lister, age 85, a resident of Shalom Cares Nursing Home in Aurora for five years, went home to be with the Lord Jesus on November 15, 2014, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Born to Herbert and Charline Divelbiss in Pueblo, CO in 1929, Phyllis was one of six children, and a lifelong resident of Pueblo. Her grandparents on both sides homesteaded in Southern Colorado. Phyllis was predeceased by her husband in 1992, Arthur W. Lister; and sister Frances Lutz; and survived by children, Marcy (Diana Giarusso) Lister, Denver; Nancy (Dana) Alexander, Denver; Jody (Chuck) Severance, Woodland Park; Dr. Brad (Deb) Lister, Denison, IA; and Bruce (Marie-Pierre Pluvinage) Lister, Gaithersburg, MD; and her grandchildren, Heather (Bobby) Rodriguez, Denver; Dawn (Mike) James, Kansas; Ty (Joslin) Alexander, Denver; Brian (Sarah) Severance, Denver; Kris (Keli) Severance, Colorado Springs; Emma and Colm Lister, MD, and Zach Lister, Boston; and her great-grandchildren Kaileb and Elijah Rodriguez, Siena and Taylor James, Camden Alexander, Jackson and Riley Severance, and Phyllis’ siblings James (Myrt) Divelbiss, IA; Roe Zanne (Rev. Paul) Woelfle, Boulder; Doug (Melinda) Divelbiss, CA; and Don Divelbiss, Denver. After graduating Central HS in 1947, she attended Westmar Bible College in Iowa. She married lifelong friend, Art Lister October 28, 1950, and raised a family of five in the home they built in Pueblo, where Phyllis happily lived 46 years. Art was a combustion engineer at the CF&I Steel Mill 42 years, and Phyllis enjoyed planning camping, fishing, and Jeeping trips in the summer, and skiing trips in the winter. Phyllis loved children and volunteered at Sunset Park Elementary School, serving as PTA President for several years. Phyllis was joyfully involved and devoted to her church, sewed kids and Barbie doll clothes, attended hundreds of swim meets, and was her kids’ biggest fan. She was employed by Pueblo School District 1971-1999. Throughout her Christian life, Phyllis loved Jesus by loving and serving others. She was given a true gift of being an encourager, both face to face and by sending thousands of greeting cards of encouragement and sentiments of her sisterly love. She opened her home to many people in need over the years, and there were many more who called her their “Grandma Lister” than just her 8 beloved grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. The viewing will be 5-7 PM Monday, 11-24-14 at T.G. McCarthy Funeral Home, and the GOING HOME Celebration at 11 AM Tuesday, 11-25-14, at Pueblo Christian Center, where Phyllis was a member for 38 years. Donations may be made to www.gideons.org Bible distributors, where Phyllis and Art volunteered for many years. Please visit Phyllis’ memorial website at www.tgmccarthy.com to share your memories of her with the family. Arrangements by T.G. McCarthy Funeral Home.