Elaine Phillips

Elaine Phillips, 86, died Dec. 11, 2012, at Comfort Care Homes in Overland Park. She was born Sept. 12, 1926, in Delia, Kan., to John and Grace Cowan and was the oldest of five children. Graduating from Delia High School in 1943 at 16 years of age, she worked in Topeka and Denver, CO. before moving to Olathe. At first she questioned why she ever left Colorado, until she met and later married Kelly Phillips in October 1951. Elaine was employed as a secretary at the Olathe Naval Air Station and later was an accounting technician for the U.S. Marine Corps 9th district headquarters in Shawnee for 17 years. After she retired in 1992, Elaine volunteered at Olathe Medical Center for more than 10 years. She loved to travel and was active with St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Olathe.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband Kelly; sister Laurita Hammel; daughter-in-law Gaylene Phillips and grandchild Mallory Diehm.

Survivors include sons Michael (P.J.) Phillips, St. Louis, MO. and Dennis Phillips, Greeley, CO.; daughters Terri (Dwight) Marshall, Lenexa; Mary (Kevin) Klozenbucher, Huron, S.D., and Pat (Chris) Diehm, Parker, Kan.; sisters Louise (Howard) Deiter, Maple Hill, Kan., and Anne (Joe) Steinbock, Topeka; brother Ron (Mary) Cowan, Topeka; 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A rosary will be said at 5 p.m. Monday, December 17 at the McGilley & Frye Funeral Home, followed by a visitation until 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Paul Catholic Church, 900 S. Honeysuckle, Olathe with burial following in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Olathe. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the local Alzheimer’s Association or Grace Hospice. Condolences may be offered at www.McGilley-Frye.com