Phyllis Ann (Ellyson) Brenner was born in Atchison, Kansas and died in San Antonio, Texas, on July 11, 2023, at age 90.
She grew up in Atchison, Kansas, Falls City, Nebraska, and Renton, Washington. After getting married, she traveled the world as the wife of an USAF fighter pilot (Col. Douglas Brenner) and raised her two daughters. Later she attended the University of Texas (UTEP) and graduated in 1980, then taught high school business for 10 years at Hanks High School in El Paso.
During her retirement, she enjoyed traveling, volunteer work, crafts, gourmet cooking, baking, reading, and entertaining. She took care of her elderly mother, Erma Chapman Ellyson, for 10 years.
After living in El Paso, Texas, for 36 years, she moved with her partner, Paul Higginbotham, to Air Force Village/Blue Skies of Texas in San Antonio, to start a new life there in 2009. She was active in many clubs and found her volunteer work to be quite fulfilling. She was famous at AFV for her chocolate mice at Christmas.
Phyllis leaves her two daughters, Nancy Brenner MacDonald, of Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada, and Carol Brenner Hill, of Sugar Land, Texas. As well, she leaves her dearest friend and partner of 44 years, Paul Higginbotham, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Dee Brenner (Dec. 1976), her parents Sidney and Erma Ellyson, and all of her siblings: Carol Jilg Ahrens, Bob Ellyson and Jack Ellyson, and their spouses.
A service will be held at First Christian Church in Falls City, Nebraska, on August 28, 2023, at 1:00pm, followed by burial at Steele Cemetery. Reception following.
