David Lee Phillips, age 75, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2024 at St Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, MN, surrounded by his family.

David was born on June 8, 1949, to Harold & Tony (Miller) Phillips. Dave’s childhood was spent in Gordon, WI at the family farm with his two brothers (Buck and Jim) and countless cousins, many of whom were his best friends. He graduated in 1967 from Northwoods High School in Minong, WI. After high school he joined the Army as a mechanic and was stationed on the DMZ in Korea and was awarded the Purple Heart. He also served in Vietnam. A few years later he settled in Champlin, MN until 2001 when he moved back to the family farm in Gordon, WI.

Dave was very inquisitive at a young age and would often take things apart to see how they worked. This didn’t impress his mom though when he took apart her new sewing machine. Growing up on a farm, he learned how to fix just about anything, and this flourished with his love of cars and motors. He was the guy that everyone came to for car, snow blower, weed whip, tractor, and lawn mower repairs. Though we think he may have gotten a little carried away with the lawn mowers as he got older. If he didn’t have the right part or tool to fix something, he would find a way to make it work, or as he would say, “MacGyver it”. You would often find him in his shop tinkering on his latest project, wearing his flannel shirt, with a cigar in his mouth, music blaring, and a thermos of coffee nearby.

Dave was a social butterfly. He made friends everywhere he went, often breaking the ice with a joke or a quick-witted one-liner. His big belly laughs, and huge smile just drew people to him. His sense of humor either left you in tears laughing or in shock of what just came out of his mouth, most of the time both. He had no filter and would often say inappropriate things at the most inappropriate times. But it was all to get a laugh and that’s what set him apart from others and what made him so memorable.

He came from a big extended family who loved music, parties, and especially dancing. He would be one of the first to pull you out on the dance floor. He was a great dancer, enough so that he managed to break his ankle once. But that didn’t slow him down.

Dave had the biggest heart and would give the shirt off his back to a person in need. Helping others is what fed his soul. He was the guy that would pull over on the side of the road to help a stranded motorist. He was always checking in on family and friends to make sure they were ok and see if they needed anything. Doing acts of service was how he showed his love.

Dave’s passions were playing/watching golf, reading westerns, grilling out, jokingly harassing his significant other Pam, playing scratch offs & pull tabs, tinkering in the shop, and watching wildlife. His greatest joy was the bond he had with his daughters, Katie and Tracy. He always cherished the time spent together and in-between visits, he would call them often (usually at the butt crack of dawn) to check in and shoot the breeze.

He is survived by his significant other of 26 years Pam Illetschko; daughters Katie & Tracy Phillips; brothers Lester “Buck” & James Phillips, plus many loved cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold & Imogene (“Tony”, Miller) Phillips; niece, Deanna Phillips; grandparents; Lester & Dorthy Miller and Richard & Roselind Phillips; and many aunts, uncles and cousins from the Phillips, Miller, and Welch families.

Dave’s celebration of life will be held on June 7th, 2025, from 11:00AM-1:00PM at the Gordon Town Hall (9709 Cty Rd Y, Gordon, WI).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations to be made to one of these charities in Dave’s honor:

Gary Sinise Veterans Foundation: Make a Donation | Gary Sinise Foundation

Cancer Society: Information and Resources about Cancer: Breast, Colon, Lung, Prostate, Skin | American Cancer Society

American Heart Association: Ways to Give | Make a Donation | American Heart Association

Last Update: Dec 16, 2024 2:05 pm CST