Phyllis Baker Smith

A celebration of life gathering for Phyllis Baker Smith, 72, will be held Thursday, November 17, 2022, from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. with a Remembrance Service beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Memorials may be made to the family and used to purchase a memorial bench for Phyllis that will be placed at the Lucas County Courthouse.

A woman with strength and grace; the best laugh and smile; always fun-loving and adventurous; an inspiration to all who knew her. Phyllis was all these things.

Phyllis was born October 26, 1950, to John and Jean Davis Burns. The oldest of four sisters, the family moved around as John and Jean rented different farms. Phyllis attended grade school in the Prairie City area and the family moved to rural Lucas/Norwood area in January 1965. She graduated from Chariton High School in 1968.

Phyllis worked for G.O. Implement and South Central Mutual Insurance before going to the Lucas County Auditor’s Office, where she worked for a short while before moving to the treasurer’s office. Phyllis served as the Lucas County Treasurer for many years. After retiring, she loved to work at Ellis’ Greenhouse. She loved to work with the plants, but she really enjoyed all the people she worked with at the greenhouse.

In her free time, she loved to have coffee with the girls once or twice a week, always enjoying catching up and sharing a laugh. She also loved to meet up with the girls to share stories over a glass of wine. Staying close to family and friends was extremely important to Phyllis. She organized sisters and cousins get togethers at least once a month, and we are sure that she would want this tradition to continue on!

She really enjoyed doing just about anything and had an adventurous spirit. Phyllis has always been ready to go, maybe a quick weekend trip, a camping trip riding horses or mules, taking grandchildren to an Iowa State game, or a shopping trip with the girls to Kohl’s. She especially loved going to all her grand and great grandkids’ events. No matter what, she always had a great time.

Phyllis was always a strong woman. She put her family’s needs first and would guide them in the right directions. She made a home where everyone felt welcome and loved. The best times were ones where everyone was together, it may have been a holiday or a birthday, or just a nice day to gather at the farm. The chocolate chip cookies, gooseberry pie, chicken salad, homemade beef and noodles, all her treats would be enjoyed by all.

Phyllis and Dennis have been together for 44 years. They enjoyed traveling, quiet times at home and on the farm, spending time with friends and family, watching the grandchildren and great grandchildren together. They made a great couple and were blessed with being united in marriage in June of this year with all the children and grandchildren present.

Phyllis passed away November 11, 2022, surrounded by her family. She will be greatly missed by her husband and companion of 43 years, Dennis Smith; children: Kellie (Clint Carruthers) Baker, Scott (Tami) Baker, Jennifer (Brian) Crozier, and Julie (Tim) Johnson; grandchildren: Shelby, Emily, Jessica, Libby, Sam, Bailey, Kelsey, Cael, and Janie; 6 great grandchildren: Nora, Mia, Boone, Lennox, Bendyn, and Blakelyn; along with sisters: Sandy (Clayton) Besco, Nancy Eaton, Jo (Terry) Hunter; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Rohr and Shari (Joseph) Van Luchene; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Jean Burns; great grandson, Bryten Becker; and brothers-in-law, John Eaton and Ron Rohr.

The Remembrance Service will be livestreamed through the following link: https://my.gather.app/remember/phyllis-smith-2022