Joanne Bernetta Phillips

Joanne Bernetta Hellriegel was born August 10, 1937 in Waconia, MN, the daughter of Richard and Gladys (Klatt) Hellriegel. She grew up in East Union, MN and attended country school. Joanne graduated from Chaska High School. Joanne began work at the Land O’ Lakes Company as a telephone operator. While at Land O’ Lakes Joanne met Hugh Phillips. On November 7, 1959 the two were united in marriage at Carver, MN. The couple made their home in Medford, WI briefly before moving to Owatonna, MN in 1961. They began raising their family and were blessed with three children, Wendy, Kristine and Kurt. Joanne took a job as executive secretary at Conoco in Minneapolis. They also lived in south Minneapolis and New Hope, MN before moving to Brainerd, MN in 1985. In 1986 Joanne took a job as secretary to the principal at Washington Middle School in Brainerd. This was a job that Joanne absolutely loved and missed greatly when she retired in 2006. Joanne kept very busy throughout her life. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed snowmobiling, cross country skiing, golfing, flower gardening and camping with Hugh and her family. She spent time volunteering at her church and singing in the church choir. Joanne was a skilled seamstress and sewed much of her children’s clothing. She also crocheted and did crafts. Joanne loved having her family over and loved entertaining; she was an excellent cook and made sure her kitchen was the center of all the fun. She is known for her bran muffins, candied sweet potatoes, seven layer bars and pecan pie. She loved playing cards and always had a board game out on the table. Joanne was very proud of her children and grandchildren; she loved spending time with them and loved having fun with them. Joanne loved Hugh and her family very much. On Saturday, July 4, 2015, Joanne died doing what she loved best; having fun with her family. She was preceded in death by her parents. Joanne is survived by her husband of fifty-five years, Hugh Phillips of Alexandria; daughters, Wendy Nies and husband, Mike, of Alexandria and Kristine Gobel and husband, James, of Hayward, WI; son, Kurt Phillips and wife, Rita, of Boone, IA; grandchildren, Daniel Nies, Angela Einerson, Bryce Phillips, Blaine Phillips, Brant Phillips and Cassandra Gobel; great grandchildren, Elsie Einerson and Lincoln Nies; one sister, Kathleen Heimkes and husband, Richard, of New Brighton, MN; and two brothers, David Hellriegel and wife, Linda, of East Union, MN and William Hellriegel and wife, Sharon, of Santa Maria, CA. A funeral service will be held 11 AM Friday, July 10, 2015 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Reverend Hans Dahl will officiate. Interment will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley, MN. Honorary casket bearers include all of Joanne’s grandchildren. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM Thursday at Anderson Funeral Home and also one hour prior to the service at church. Memorials will be donated towards the purchase of a golf cart to aid in transportation of physically disabled persons to and from the services at Luther Crest.

Joanne Bernetta Phillips

August 10, 1937 - July 4, 2015