Earl William Phillips

Earl William Phillips, 88, of Hudson, Wisconsin, passed away at home, surrounded by family, on November 11, 2026.

Earl was born on February 7, 1938, in Shakopee, MN. He spent his early childhood in Duluth, MN, before moving to St. Paul, and spent his summers at Pike Lake near Duluth. He graduated from St. Paul Central High School in 1956. He joined the Army, where he met the love of his life, Cecelia “Cid” Kjenstad—his wife of 67 years. Earl graduated from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls in 1964. Earl and Cid were blessed with two daughters.

Earl worked at Ziegler selling power systems for 35 years. A salesman by nature, Earl had the ability to find a connection with everyone he met, even in a brief five-minute conversation with a stranger.

Earl found great joy on the waters of the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers. He and Cid spent many happy years boating, exploring, and fishing together on the St. Croix. He loved attending car shows and treasured the friendships he made throughout his life. Earl enjoyed hunting and spent many years hunting deer, ducks and pheasants. More than anything, he treasured the time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Earl’s faith was important to him and gave him strength and comfort. He was always willing to lend a helping hand and could fix whatever needed fixing.

Earl is survived by his wife, Cecelia; his daughters, Tamara Phillips and Connie (Mark) Reuter; his grandchildren, Meghan (Jeff) Ozanne, Kristen (Caleb) Shea, Andrew Reuter (Sarah), and Erik Olson; his great-grandchildren, Maria, Breck, Barrett, and Clara; Godchildren, Brenda Kjenstad Nelson, Laurie Hogie Fieber, Steve Filipiak; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; and the many family members and friends who were very special to him.

Earl was preceded in death by his father, Ramby Carl Rasmussen; mother, Myrtle Alfhild Anderson Phillips; Godchild, Pamela Engebretson Svoboda.

A visitation will be held on Friday, November 20, 2026, from 4:00–6:00 PM at O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson, Wisconsin. On Saturday, November 21, a visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM at Bethel Lutheran Church in downtown Hudson. A luncheon will follow the service at the church.

Family prefers memorials be directed to Bethel Lutheran Church in Hudson, Wisconsin; Redeemer Lutheran Church in Burkhardt, Wisconsin; or Union Gospel Mission in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Funeral services are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hudson. For more information or to share a memory, please visit www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call 715-386-3725