Thyra Messmer

Thyra Messmer, 91, passed away peacefully at home in Columbia, MO on October 10, 2025.

She was born on June 21, 1934 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the daughter of Lloyd (Shorty) Strop and Jewel (Proffer) Strop-Porter.

Thyra graduated from Cape Central High School in 1952. She married Alvin Messmer on January 26, 1952 in Cape Girardeau. Thyra retired from the Sansone Group as a Property Manager for Senior Housing in Cape Girardeau and Charleston, MO.

Thyra loved working in the yard and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by two sons, Dean Messmer of Cape Girardeau and Scot Messmer of Douglasville, GA; two daughters Deb Gerecke (Mike) Columbia, Mo and Lisa Niswonger (John) Gordonville, Mo.; six grandchildren (Jennifer Heuring, Steven Messmer; Julie Drury, Mark Gerecke; Joe Niswonger, Kali Francis) and 9 great grandchildren (Halle, Lacy and Cooper Heuring; Benjamin and Samuel Drury; Owen and Eli Niswonger; Colton and Elizabeth Francis). Other survivors are three brothers, Rodney Strop, Germantown, TN, Jim Strop, Sikeston, MO and Bill Strop, Chiefland, FL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and two sons, Mark Allen Messmer and Joseph Lee Messmer and her sister Nancy Strop Howard. Thyra will be laid to rest in Cape Girardeau near her husband.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory, 12 East Ash Street, Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 449-4153. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com