Phyllis Jean (Rose) Anderson

Phyllis Jean (Rose) Anderson celebrated her 96th birthday on Tuesday, Nov, 1, 2022, and went to be with our Lord and Savior on Thursday, November 3, 2022. She was a resident of the Healthcare Resort of Topeka, where she died of natural causes. She was born on November 1, 1926, in Randolph, Kansas, the daughter of Reuben L. Rose and Elfie O. (Johnson) Rose. She loved helping her dad at his Standard Gas Station in Randolph, Kansas, eating her meals quickly to go help him at the station and to get out of doing the nightly dishes.

Phyllis graduated from Randolph High School, where she was active in sports and played trumpet in the band. She married the love of her life, Leslie "Keith" Anderson on November 18, 1944. They lived in Randolph until the Tuttle Creek Dam was being built, and then they were forced to move. They moved to Topeka, where they raised their family. They had a strong faith, and they were active members of Lowman United Methodist Church. They loved helping with the MYF Youth Groups at Lowman. Phyllis and Keith were also active in the PTA's of Gage School, Roosevelt Junior High, and Topeka High School.

Family meant the world to Phyllis. She was a stay at home mom for many years. After her children grew up, she became a bookkeeper at Scotch Fabric Care, where she retired at the age of 73.

Those who knew her will always remember her welcoming them into her home with her cheerfulness, sense of humor, caring and generosity, and of course her smile. Her beautiful smile truly brought light into the world and comforted all who knew her, even in her later years. The best way to honor Phyllis, and her life, is to simply share your smile with others and be kind to all.

Phyllis and Keith enjoyed nearly 44 years together, before his passing on November 17, 1988, the day before their 44th wedding anniversary. They were blessed with a son, Jerry Keith Anderson (Linda), and daughters Judy Kay Bonjour, and Jean Kristi Opheim (Mike).

Their family grew to include grandchildren, Blair Anderson (Detria), Jill Burkhart (Sean), Christopher Anderson, and Jason Anderson (Lindsey); Allison Chargo (Dallas), Ashley Bonjour Young; Katelyn Opheim Dorland (James), Kelli Opheim Michalk (Kevin), and Kristi Opheim. She was also blessed with great-grandchildren: Aiden, Ava, Cooper, Taylor, Jameson, Skye, Elias, Aria, Kaden, McKenna, and Kohen. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Bernie Anderson, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith, her parents, her son-in-law, Mark Bonjour, as well as two grandchildren, Kristi Marie Anderson, and Brian Matthew Bonjour.

Phyllis loved sports so much, and she especially enjoyed following K-State, the Chiefs, and the Royals. She would be most honored if those attending on Saturday would come dressed in K-State, Chiefs, or Royals attire. We would like to thank the Healthcare Resort of Topeka and Faith Hospice for their wonderful care.

A Funeral Service will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Lowman United Methodist Church, 4101 SW 15th Street (15th & Gage Blvd). The family will greet friends an hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, 6th & Gage Blvd, Topeka, Ks.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lowman United Methodist Church, 4101 SW 15th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66604.


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