Phyllis Wernsman Obituary

Phyllis Jean Wernsman was born on January 20th, 1934, in Winfield, Kansas in a maternity home. She passed on to be with the lord on April 11th, 2015. Her birth parents and two older siblings remain unknown to Phyllis even at the time of her death. She was adopted when 4 days old to Nellie and Earl West of Arkansas City, Kansas where Phyllis grew up.

Phyllis and her parents lived in one room together in the home of her paternal grandparents until she was 15 years old, at which time they moved into a home of their own. She attended the local junior college, with her class being the first to completely go though the new junior college. She enjoyed playing the E flat baritone saxophone, which was twice her size, in the marching band at high school and junior college.

Phyllis married Elmer Wernsman in 1972. Upon graduating 3rd in her class from St. Joseph School of Nursing in Wichita, Kansas, she moved with her husband and now seven children to Colorado Springs in 1974. Two more children were born here.

Phyllis accomplished numerous things during her life. She was an inspector of Hallmark Cards in Emporia, Kansas. She obtained a Masters Degree in five aspects of nursing, with her expertise in Death and Dying. Phyllis received the Outstanding Colorado Springs Citizen award in the Professional Service Medicine Category. She taught a Romper Room type class ages 2 ½ to 4 years of age. She hosted a foreign exchange student from Germany, and was one of seven nationally chosen Registered Nurses to start a wellness clinic in a foreign country.

Phyllis was a leader in Scouting for 21 years, including Cubs, Brownies, Webelos, Girl Scouts, Senior Scouts and Cadets. She loved singing, and sing in the annual Living Christmas Tree at a local Baptist Church. She took extended tap and jazz classes from Barbara Ellis and Cindy Swift, appearing in their annual recitals. She also took extended ballroom classes in the Latin/American styles, receiving numerous awards for such. Phyllis' son, Vincent, established the Colorado Dance Academy, a dance studio near Monument, Colorado. Upon his request, Phyllis proudly served as Executive Director.

Phyllis' annual project since 1956 was to sew Easter suits and dresses for her nine grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, as each additional one entered her life. She was extremely adamant in the belief of the need for protection of children, the elderly, and animals.



Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her baby daughter, Melinda.

She leaves behind 3 daughters and 6 sons: Melody Weiss, Cristyl Wernsman, Monique Maxa of Colorado Springs, Vincent Wernsman of Colorado Springs, Randy Anstine of Phoenix, Arizona , Robertin Anstine of Omaha, Nebraska, Scott Anstine of Michigan, Phillip Anstine of Hutchinson, Kansas and Darin Anstine of Fountain, Colorado, including 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Phyllis Wernsman was well known for having said, "Since age 4, all I ever wanted was to have 9 children and become a registered Nurse . So ----- mission accomplished!"



Public Viewing will be from 4-6 on April 22nd at DoveWitt Family Mortuary in Fountain Colorado. Services will be Thursday, April 23rd, 2015 at 10:30 am at Anchor Way Baptist Church.