Phyllis Bichsel

Phyllis Regina Bichsel, 89, of Stoutsville, MO, passed away peacefully at her home on the family farm on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. She was born on February 5, 1935, to John Ivan Tewell and Ella Henrietta Hays.
Phyllis attended St Stephen Catholic High School in Indian Creek graduating in 1953. On August 8, 1953, she married Bernard Joseph Bichsel. He preceded her in death October 29, 2007. She was a faithful member of St. Stephen Catholic Church and the St. Stephen Altar Society.
Phyllis and Bernard raised their family on a century farm south of Monroe City. Together they raised nine children. Her large family was her pride and joy. She loved sharing with others the number of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren she had. She would add that she had four sets of twins in her family.
Phyllis enjoyed being a farm wife and accepted the hard work as a part of her life. The farm provided everything needed to feed her large family. She always raised a huge garden canning 100's of jars of vegetables. She raised chickens for eggs and to stock the freezer. Cattle and hogs were raised on the farm which made the household self-sufficient. Feeding her family required her to be in her kitchen early in the morning to prepare the three meals of the day for a house of 11. In the summer time she loved the solitude of riding her lawn mower. It was important to her that the farm looked nice.
She enjoyed the simple pleasures of life crocheting afghans, playing cards, and quilting. She gifted a queen size quilt to each of her nine children. She loved sitting on her patio watching the birds or admiring the cattle in the pasture below the house. However, nothing brought her greater happiness than spending time with her loved ones and her home was always a welcoming place for family gatherings.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Bernard, their infant daughter Rebecca Diane Bichsel, her grandson Bryce Michael Bichsel, her sister Bernice Chappel, and two daughters-in-law, Catherine (Franklin) Bichsel and Linda (Lake) Bichsel.
Phyllis is survived by six sons: Paul (Theresa) Bichsel of Ballwin, MO, Kevin (Ada) Bichsel, Kent (Lisa) Bichsel, Mike Bichsel, Dan (Carol) Bichsel, and Glenn (Shelly) Bichsel all of Monroe City; three daughters: Dorothy (Dennis) Moss of Monroe City, Lori (Mike) Geers of Troy, MO, and Maria (Morris) Dunger of Ozark, MO; 28 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren; as well as, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends. She is also survived by her parish family, whose support and prayers were a constant source of comfort especially during her recent illness and death.
Pallbearers for the service will be her sons: Paul, Kevin, Kent, Mike, Dan, and Glenn Bichsel.
Phyllis will be remembered for her love of family and friends, her humility, kindness, and her steadfast faith. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of all those whose lives she touched.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 7, 2025 from 4 pm to 8 pm at Garner Funeral Home. Rosary will be recited at 3:45pm and a Parish Scripture service beginning at 7:30pm Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, January 8 at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Indian Creek. Father Greg Oligschlaeger will officiate assisted by Deacon Mike Long. Father Mike Quinn will concelebrate. Burial will follow in Holy Rosary Cemetery. Services Wednesday morning will be live streamed on Father Greg Oligschlaegers Facebook page.
Memorials may be made to St. Stephen Catholic Church or Holy Rosary School.
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