Phyllis Jean Kroeger

Phyllis Jean Kroeger, 89, Palmyra, Mo., passed away at 11:13 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, at Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Palmyra.

Phyllis was born April 2, 1933, in Lancaster, Pa., to Sherman M. Buch and Evelyn M. Kunz Buch. She was married to Wilfred L. “Bud” Kroeger on July 23, 1953 in Lancaster. He preceded her in death on July 26, 1993.

Survivors include her children, Gary Kroeger (Cindy), Maywood, Mo.; LuAnn Bohon (Kilby), Palmyra; Greg Kroeger, Hannibal, Mo., Jeff Kroeger (Becky), Palmyra; Victoria Marine (Michael), Palmyra; Shari Crabill (Donnie), Quincy, Ill.; Michael Kroeger (Allyson), Corpus Christi, Texas; and Lora Hall (David), Republic, Mo.; one sister-in-law, Carolann Porter; 17 grandchildren, Doug Kroeger (Karrie), Kimberly Lackey (Josh), Skeeter Kroeger (Emily), Justin Bohon (Karen), Matthew Kroeger (Niki), Ryan Kroeger, Whitney Ritchhart (Justin), Melissa Marine, Travis Marine (Marcy), Thomas Kroeger (Jessica), Austin Kroeger, Sarita Kroeger, Erik Thomas (Deborah), Kelsey Thomas, Cameron Hall, Peyton Hall and Kendalyn Hall; and 18 great-grandchildren, Chase Lackey, Nicole Kroeger, Jacob Kroeger, Remington Kroeger, Skeeter Kroeger, Gatlin Kroeger, Benelli Kroeger, Zoe Ritchhart, Callen Ritchhart, Fabi Kroeger, Kaster Kroeger, Kroslyn Kroeger, Brett Tuter, Kingsley Marine, Makayla Marine, Brantley Kroeger, Halli Kroeger, Olivia Kroeger and Axel Thomas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilfred L. “Bud” Kroeger; her parents; one son, Rodney D. Kroeger; one grandson, David Bohon; three brothers-in-law, Arthur “Sonny” Kroeger, Wesley Carson and Bob Porter; and three sisters-in-law, Betty Kroeger, Betty Boland and Bernadine Carson.

Professionally, Phyllis worked as a certified nursing assistant and also as a certified medication technician at Maple Lawn Nursing Home for 38 years.

Phyllis’s main priority in life was her family, and she has a very big family. She loved spending time with all of her family whether it was for the holidays, family reunions, or just a barbecue in the back yard.

Phyllis was famous for celebrating her favorite holiday Halloween, in her neighborhood. She loved to make homemade doughnuts, popcorn balls, caramel apples and homemade soup for all the kids. 

Phyllis’ family favorites from her kitchen were caramel nut rolls and dinner rolls along with a host of other recipes that she used to take care of her family. 

She had a passion for crochet, often gifting her beautiful creations to family and friends and passing this legacy on to her daughters. She would make afghans and tablecloths, and her name doilies were especially unique and treasured by her family. 

Phyllis was a very caring, passionate, loving, generous, servant to all she knew, and will be missed greatly by all of her family and friends.

She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 16, at the Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Palmyra. Burial will be at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Palmyra.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons.

Honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters.

Friends and family are invited to Phyllis’s life celebration at a visitation that will be from 9 to 10 a.m., Friday at the church.

Memorials may be made to Community Loving Care Hospice or St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Online condolences may be shared and video tribute may be viewed at www.lewisbrothersfuneralchapel.com.