Lucille M. Erlewine

Lucille Mae (Manning) Erlewine, 94, passed away August 22, 2021, at Life Care Center of Stonegate in Parker, Colorado, while under hospice care. She was born on October 15, 1926, in Central City, Nebraska, to Leroy and Faye Manning. She shared her childhood home on the farm five miles southwest of Central City with her younger sister, Rosemary, and first cousin, Don Green.

Lucille attended a one-room rural schoolhouse through 8th grade in Merrick County District 39 and advanced through high school in Central City. She attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics in 1948.

Lucille met the love of her life, Gale Erlewine, at Sunday evening church services in Lincoln, and they were married on June 19, 1948, in Chapman, Nebraska. She wore a wedding dress that she made from silk acquired by Gale while he was stationed in Japan during World War II. Together they had three boys while living on a farm 11 miles northeast of Grant, Nebraska. In 1966 the family moved to a remodeled house on the original Erlewine homestead farm, located four miles northeast of the earlier farm. They were active members of First Congregational Church in Grant.

Lucille was a devoted mother to her three sons, while fulfilling her duties as a farmwife and homemaker. She utilized her college degree to become a home economics extension agent in Keith and Arthur counties, Nebraska. She also taught high school home economics for two years in Madrid, Nebraska. Her other interests included art, travel, reading, floral arranging, sewing, hiking, drama and musicals. Lucille was a proud 50-year member of P.E.O.

Lucille and Gale hosted on their farm cultural exchange students from Cyprus, Brazil and Japan. The Japanese exchange student, Minako, subsequently became their daughter-in-law when she married their youngest son, Ron.

While on the farm in Nebraska, Lucille unfortunately suffered severe bouts of depression. After multiple weekly trips from the farm to Denver, Colorado, for psychiatric therapy, Lucille and Gale moved to Denver in 1983, and then to Highlands Ranch, Colorado, in 1994. After continued treatment, along with therapeutic drugs, her condition stabilized, which allowed for the full return of her personality and self-confidence.

Lucille and Gale became active members of First Plymouth Congregational Church in Englewood, Colorado. Wherever they made their home they enjoyed many friendships and fellowship in their church. Among their activities was a church mission to the Dominican Republic.

Lucille inherited her creative abilities from her mother and expressed them as a watercolor artist and by earning an associate’s degree in Interior Design from Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, Colorado.

Over many years Lucille and Gale enjoyed spending summers at their beloved mountain cottage near Allenspark, Colorado. She adored making the cottage a home, while enjoying hikes and viewing wildlife, birds and flowers. They made many friends and became active members of Allenspark Community Church.

Lucille loved to travel, exploring domestically and in many countries of the world with Gale. She thrived at the opportunity to use her detailed planning skills to help organize memorable adventures.

In 2018 Lucille and Gale transitioned from their Highlands Ranch home of 24 years to MorningStar Senior Living in Lone Tree, Colorado. In June of this year Lucille and Gale celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary.

Lucille is survived by her husband, Gale; three sons, Gary, Tom (Donna) and Ron (Minako); sister, Rosemary; first cousin, Don Green (Marilyn); two grandchildren, Michael (Hanna) and Naomi (Daiki); and one great-grandson, Masamichi. (Lucille’s younger sister, Rosemary, married Gale’s younger brother, Keith.)

Lucille was predeceased by her parents, Leroy and Faye Manning; and brothers-in-law, Dale (Kathe) and Keith.

Memorial donations may be made in Lucille’s name to United Church of Christ Mental Health Network, https://www.mhn-ucc.org/donate/ . Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com.

A memorial service will be held at First Congregational Church, 505 Washington Ave., Grant, Nebraska, on Friday, September 10, 2021, at 10:30 a.m., to be followed by an observance at Fairview Cemetery in Grant.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home is in charge of service arrangements.