John Lester Phillipps

John Lester Phillipps was born to Floyd and Violet (nee Yarns) Phillipps in September 1940. He was welcomed by his sister Eloise whose first birthday was in October 1940. A younger sister Elvina completed the sibling trio in September 1942. Grandpa Maurice Yarns, Grandpa Lloyd Phillipps, and Aunt Shirley provided a great deal of care, supervision, and meals during their childhood. John attended Martel School for his primary years. When his father Floyd passed away, John moved in with the Bob and Dorothy Phillipps' family. He graduated from River Falls High School 1961.

John married Shirley Ann Hughes on July 6, 1961. They began their married life on Bob & Dorothy Phillipps' dairy farm in River Falls. With their growing family, he chose to get training to earn more money as a welder. He continued his love of farming in Knapp while helping his brother-in-law Jerry Hughes. They shared the fun of Allis Chalmers and tractor pulls. John and Shirley moved their four daughters to

Prairie Farm in 1974 when they got their own farm. They milked Holsteins, and Shirley was his right hand and the girls were the helpful farm crew. They kept work balanced with 4-H and family activities.

They joined the United Lutheran Church of Prairie Farm, and the Prairie Farm School Board to support the daughters' education and hand them their diplomas as earned. Although farming was a

full-time occupation, John and Shirley began vacationing with a timeshare, motorcycle and car trips. He returned to welding for NIRO/GEA in 1989. They sold the farm and moved to Hudson where John continued to work full-time as a stainless steel welder.

Vacations were a new way to share their love of travel with their family; including traveling to Hawaii, DisneyWorld, California, and Florida. John loved to spend time with family and friends whether it was a destination event or a trip to the local Dairy Queen, hunting in

the back forty or going to Johnny Phillipps' cabin in Superior, he was up for whatever would give him more time with loved ones.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Shirley; daughters Cheryl and Dave Matthys, Michelle Phillipps, Lynnette and Wayne Borgen, and Janell and Kevin Kuehn. Their grandchildren: Jennifer Case, Olivia and Jason Wagner, Lisa Case, Amanda Jump, Christopher and Hilary Jump, Bradley and Jenna Borgen, Bethany and Daniel Driscoll, Lex and Lilith Kuehn, Andrew and Katie Kuehn. Great grandchildren: Dolan, Ryland and Faith Ruff; Griffin and Maggie Wagner; Aden, Molly, and Davion Thrasher; and Jackson Kuehn.

Relatives Aunt Idella Lombard, Dennis Hase Jr., Donna Garness, Charles and Jodi Hase, Dusty Hase, Kevin Hase, Sue Bignell. Melinda Hase, and John and Monica Hase. David and Patti Phillipps, Gene Bump, Donald Phillipps, Mary Foster, John C. Phillipps, MaryAnn and Jodi Anderson, Hazel Hughes, Donna Hughes Wahl, Roger and Margaret Hughes, Jack and Rene Hughes, Nancy Hughes Konchal, Linda and Eric Turner as well as numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Violet Phillipps; sisters Eloise Pfiefer and Elvina Hase, Aunts Shirley Foster and Dorothy Yarns, cousins Carol Bump and Debbie Phillipps, parent-in-laws John and Gladys Hughes, Jerry Hughes, Charles Wahl, niece Maggie Hase, great nephews James Hase, Shawn Hase, and Colten Hughes.

A Service for John will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at First Congregational Church; 110 N 3rd St, River Falls, WI 54022. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Following the service guests are invited to the burial at Greenwood Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of River Falls. For more information or to share a memory, please visit www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call 715-425-5644.