Phyllis J. Chezem

Phyllis J. Chezem, of Johnstown, CO & Morrill, NE died April 18, 2006 at Longmont United Hospital. She was 73.Phyllis was born February 15, 1933 in a sod home in Gove County, Kansas. She enjoyed her childhood, growing up on the family farm in western Kansas. That passion for agriculture and those skills learned served her well throughout her life. On August 30, 1952 Phyllis married Russell E. Chezem in Dighton, Kansas. They lived in Dodge City, Kansas before moving to Davenport, Iowa, where Russ went to Chiropractic College. They lived in Lubbock, Texas for a short time before moving to Longmont in the late 1950?s. Mr. Chezem preceded her in death in 1974. A determined mother, she raised her five children who were in their teen and pre teen years in a loving, nurturing, compassionate way. It was her wish to make sure they were hard working and contributing members of society. She worked as an interior decorator with Home Interiors & Gifts, Inc. She recently received recognition for 35 years of service with the company. She married Nick Daughenbaugh. Together they raised quarter horses and paint horses at their ranch in Morrill, Nebraska. Mr. Daughenbaugh also preceded her in death. She maintained the ranch and continued their horses? line of breeding. Mrs. Chezem was active in a number of local organizations and groups, including Jaycettes, Genealogy Group, Daughters of the American Revolution, Painting Club, and a number bowling and softball leagues. In addition, she was a 4-H leader for 20 years, impacting many local children in the Longmont area. She also enjoyed what she referred to as the ""Club"", a social group of women who monthly spent an evening out together.A lifelong learning, she was resourceful and passionate about educating herself and studying various topics including history, geology, china painting, and horses. She loved books and traveled extensively, most recently going to Ireland and Scotland. She researched her family history, going back 8 generations. She taught her children and grandchildren to appreciate nature through gardening, rock hunting, bird watching, or even a simple sunset. She was a good athlete herself and loved watching her children and grandchildren in all of their sporting events. She was a teacher at heart. In addition to her husbands, her parents, a son Roger Chezem and a brother James Hanna precede her in death.Surviving are her children, Joyce Lamb and her husband Eric of Crested Butte, CO, Rusty Chezem and his wife Eva and Rich Chezem and his wife Danean both of Olathe, CO, Judy Peters and her husband Kyle of Montrose, CO and Jilann Schlagel and her husband Tom, of Johnstown, Stepchildren Nikki Bunce and her husband Mike of Thornton, Russ Daughenbaugh of Florida, Truddi Greene and her husband Steve, of Chester, Vermont, Rhonda Harris and her husband Mick of Hood River, Oregon, brothers Clyde Hanna and his wife Nod of Dighton, KS, Clint Hanna and his wife Marilyn of Del Rio, TX, Joseph Hanna (Meredith) Essex, N.Y. and Donald Hanna and his wife Karna of Lodi, Wisconsin, and a sister Marilyn Harman and her husband Dick of Aurora, CO; 20 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.A private interment will be held at the Mountain View Memorial Park, Boulder. A Celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday April 21, 2006 at the Johnstown United Methodist Church, 108 King Ave, Johnstown, CO with Reverend Peter Freytag officiating.Contributions may be made to the Longmont United Hospital Foundation, Cancer Care Unit, 5th Floor/West, 1380 Tulip Suite A, Longmont, CO 80501. We would like to thank the staff in the Cancer Care Unit at Longmont United Hospital for their love and excellent care given to our special mother the last 2½ years. You are the best.Contributions may be made to the Hospice of Larimer County, 7604 Colland Dr., Ft. Collins, CO 80525.