Lillie "Ellen" (Crane) McPhail

Lillie “Ellen” (Crane) McPhail was born on March 6th, 1923 in Lexington, KS at her parents home, to John Virgil and Jennie Mae (Valentine) Crane. She graduated from Ashland High School in 1941. She was introduced to Marven McPhail, at a barn dance in Sitka, KS. Shortly after falling in love they were married on October 04, 1941. Marven and Ellen lived in Clark County for most of their married life until moving to Fort Dodge in 2001. After Marven’s death, September 14th, 2010, Ellen moved to Spearville, KS to live with Deana. Ellen came back to Clark County to live in the Ashland Health Center Senior Living Unit in 2014.  Ellen enjoyed doing for others; whether it be cooking, sewing or taking care of the animals. Ellen was famous for her Halloween Trick-or-Treat Donuts – it was always a mad dash; not only for her grandkids but every other kid in town to get their hands on one of Ellen’s homemade donuts. Ellen was a member of the VFW Axillary, D.A.R (Daughters of the American Revolution), Extension Club and 4-H parent. Ellen was an avid gardener (her peonies were sought after during the Memorial Holiday). Marvin and her loved to do arts and crafts; often going to craft shows and making personal gifts for her children and grandchildren. Ellen lived for the outdoors, animals and her family.

Ellen passed away peacefully at Ashland Senior Living on 10/23/2018 in Ashland, Kansas at the age of 95.

Ellen is survived by her seven children: Ann McMurphy of Liberal, KS; V.C. McPhail (Sharon) of Cimmaron, KS; David McPhail (Marlyn) of Buffalo, OK; Bruce McPhail (Robin) of Ashland, KS; Keith McPhail (Dedra) of Protection, KS; Deana Leterle (Kenneth “Friday”) of Spearville, KS, Janna Thornton (Richard) of Dodge City, KS; One son-in-law, Tom Betschart (Susan) of Ashland, KS; one sister, Irene Unruh of Garden City, KS; twenty-three Grandchildren, Dallas McMurphy, Stephen McPhail, Shane Getschart, Jeremy McPhail, Tyson McPhail, Justin McPhail, Elliot Leterle, Ricky Hunnicutt, Kelly Eakes, Stephanie McPhail, Shauna Betschart, Cody Betschart, Melissa Cramer, Jessica McPhail, Dustin McPhail, Crystal Smeltzer, Michelle Nebel, Jenny Westbrook, Christopher Leterle, Nicolas Hunnicutt, Mac Hunnicutt, and forty-four Great-grandchildren, Morgan Dawson, Austin Eakes, Kasey Derouen, Whitney McMurphy, Ryan Clark, Emily Clark, Samantha McPhail, Adam McPhail, Alex McPhail, Payton Betschart, Ethan Betschart, Gentry Betschart, Lance Betschart, Zachary Betschart, Brecken Thomas, Greyson Thomas, Montana McPhail, Austin Cramer, McKenzie Cramer, Hayden McPhail, Landon McPhail, Caleb Carlton, Lily McPhail,Remington McPhail, Cash McPhail, Lathan McPhail, Kayla Cordova, Alec Smeltzer, Chase Baker, Mason Baker, Michelle Myers, Olivia Nevel, Hayden McPhail, Declan McPhail, Jaylee Welcher, Jaycob Welcher, Walker Westbrook, Jayden Leterle, K.J. Leterle, Eliesha Leterle, Katie Leterle, Ethan Hunnicutt, Jane Hunnicutt, and four Great-great grandchildren, Raelynn Dawson, Natalie Dawson, Zaden McMurphy, Molly McPhail.  

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents Virgil and Jennie Mae, husband, Marven, daughter, Virginia Betschart, sister Eula Mae Crane, and brother, Guy Crane.

Service is at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, October 27th, 2018 at First Christian Church in Ashland, KS. Pastor Kevin Foster presiding.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Ashland VFW Auxiliary (P.O. BOX 303 – Ashland, KS) or the Ashland Health Center Activity Fund (P.O. BOX 188 – Ashland, KS). The family would like to thank all of the staff at Ashland Senior Living for being her companion and caretaker in the last years of her life.