Phyllis W. Abbott

Phyllis Wanda Abbott, 82, of Maryville, MO, passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at Mosaic Medical Center, Maryville.

She was born on July 3, 1943, in Maryville, MO and graduated from Maryville High School in the class of 1961. She married her high school sweetheart Larry Abbott on September 8, 1963, and they had two children, Wendy Marie and Andrew Lawrence. Phyllis worked in retail and for a finance company in Maryville until Larry was drafted in the Army in April 1967 and then followed him to Monterey, CA where he served in the Army until being discharged to come back home in April 1969.

Returning to Maryville, Phyllis worked for the Nodaway County as the Deputy Recorder of Deeds for almost three years until daughter Wendy was born. Son Andrew was born eighteen months later so she became a stay-at–home mom for a while. She returned to work in 1976 and worked for Eveready/Energizer Battery Co., first in the plant, before transferring to the accounting department, and then to the Plant Engineering department for 29 years before retiring.

During the children’s school years, she became active in the Girl Scouts with Wendy, since she herself was a Gold Award holder in high school, and she also assisted some with the Boy Scout program when asked. She was very proud when Wendy earned the Gold Award in Girl Scouts and Andrew the Eagle Scout Award, which is the highest awards in both programs.

She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Maryville and was active in the Women’s Bible Study group and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, along with other needs in the church.

Phyllis could almost always be found at the activities of her granddaughters as they were the delight of her eye. She was at most of their events and didn’t like to have to choose when there was more than one activity the same night. The girls that are left to mourn grandma’s passing are Cheree Abbott Rist– Humbolt, NE, Ashley, Andrea, and Allison Riley Maryville, MO.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents Kenneth and Louise Hilsenbeck, Madge and Joe Yurkovich, Step-father John Miller, brothers in-laws – Gary Butts, Jerry McClain, and Ace Jenkins Sr., Sister in-law Shirley Yurkovich, Great-Niece Olivia Schwartz, Nephews – Rodney Yurkovich, Bobby and Terrill Jenkins, Sisters – Nonda Sherbo and Lillian Jenkins, Brothers – Joseph Yurkovich Jr. and Frank Yurkovich, She is survived by her husband Larry, children Wendy Riley (Eric) Maryville, MO, Andrew Abbott (Sharla) Maryville, MO, her sisters Shirley Butts Liberty, MO, Clara Gilbert (Jerry) Kirbyville, MO, Kathy McClain Peculiar, MO, Mary Alice Logan Roy, UT, and brother Johnny Yurkovich (Pam) St. Joseph, MO. There are many nieces, nephews, and step-family left to mourn Phyllis’ passing.

Visitation will be held from 4-6:00 PM, on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Hope Lutheran Church, 931 S. Main St., Maryville, MO.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the Hope Lutheran Church. The burial will follow in the Miriam Cemetery, Maryville, MO.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hope Lutheran Church in memory of Phyllis Abbott.

Arrangements are under the care of the Bram Funeral Home, Maryville, MO.