Phyllis Ann (Eiserer) Thomas, 84, passed away on Sunday morning, February 15, 2026, at home with her faithful dogs and loving family by her side.
Phyllis was born September 7, 1941 in Carrollton, Missouri to Edgar George and Leona Pearl Eiserer. She was the oldest of 11 children and helped raise her younger siblings on their family farm, where she also started milking cows at age five and would joke that she was a champion milker by that age. All of the children were hard workers and remained close throughout their lives, always taking care of each other.
Phyllis graduated from Bosworth High School in 1960, that same year she married the love of her life, John Marion Thomas. John and Phyllis met at the Carrollton skating rink in June 1959. Phyllis had to walk three miles to get to town, so she could go skating. In her words, she “never dreamed I would meet my future husband on this night.” They were engaged two months later and married September 4, 1960. Phyllis and John were married for 49 years, until John’s death in June 2009.
John and Phyllis loved to travel, alone and with family and friends. They were in their 50’s and 60’s before they could afford to go on cruises, but traveled together to the Caribbean, Panama, the Mexican Riviera, and Alaska. They also enjoyed going to country music shows (and saw many great performers), making Christmas candy and little ‘coat hanger’ Christmas trees around the holidays, and visiting their children and grandchildren, often celebrating special events together.
An avid Kansas City Chiefs and Royals fan, Phyllis spent many hours watching the teams and cheering on some of her favorite players, especially Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs, and Salvador Perez and Bobby Witt, Jr. of the Royals. She also liked playing cards and was a mean Pitch player, commenting that the game “ain’t no fun, if you’re just sitting there.”
Phyllis had a varied career, often working more than one job at a time. She did factory work for 25 years, worked in mental health for 11 years, did secretarial work at KCHI — where she sometimes wrote ads for the radio — and worked the front desk at H&R Block for 11 years, where she loved working with her sister, Judy, and friend, Dottie. Phyllis made many lifelong friends at each of her jobs and often reminisced about the fun times they had working together.
She had many dear friends, some of whom she met during childhood, and many friendships that spanned several decades.In 2009, Phyllis attended Penn-Foster Business College to get her certificate in pet grooming. In June of that year, she founded her in-home business and began what she said was her favorite job: owner/operator at Spoiled Rotten Pet Grooming. The banner on the side of her car, “I shih-tzu not,” shows off her favorite breed and displays her sense of humor. Phyllis loved the work, and she loved the dogs, but she especially loved and cherished her own dogs, LoHannah, Holly Noel, and Raven, three of many throughout the years, most of which were Shih-Tzus, of course. Phyllis wanted to thank all of the customers who supported her business and who entrusted her with their dogs for grooming; she loved every single dog that she had the pleasure of grooming.
Phyllis was a life-long Christian, and, at the time of her death, was a member of the Dewitt Baptist Church. Phyllis lived her faith more than she talked about it. She always cared for others and tried to understand how different circumstances might affect each individual.
Phyllis is survived by three children John Christopher Thomas (Skyler); Angel Koreana Thomas Kerwin (Bill) of Columbia, Missouri; Nicole Ann Dean (John) of Harrisburg, Missouri; and a son-in-law, Eric Brian Gerdemann of Columbia, Missouri. She also leaves behind three grandchildren: Brittany Surritt and Angela Woodall of Marshall, Missouri, and Gramm Oak Gerdemann of Lawrence, Kansas, and six great-grandchildren. Her remaining siblings are: Barbara Lee Allen (Ronnie), Marilyn Kay Hartwig, Marietta Mae Stephenson (Ellis/”Bud”), Judy Jane Scott (Doug), Rickie Ray Eiserer (Elena), Cindy Rose Wagner, and George Eiserer (Ann), and a sister-in-law, Ellen Rearden of Bucklin, Missouri. Phyllis also has many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, John; her parents; two sisters, Connie Ruth Stark and infant sister, Mary Beth Eiserer; one brother, Gary Gail Eiserer; one niece, Tandy Rose Wagner; two nephews, Johnny Rearden and Jeffrey Lynn Stark; and two brothers-in-law, Paul Rearden and Cyrus Wagner.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Bittiker Funeral Home, 1201 Highway 65 North, Carrollton, Missouri. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 pm Saturday at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Carroll Memory Gardens, Carrollton, Missouri.
The family suggests contributions to H.E.L.P. Services of Carroll County
Source: KMZU, The Farm
