Phillip J. Lipp, 88

Our dad, Phillip Lipp, 88, died on Sept. 7, 2010, in Kalispell. Phil was born March 8, 1922, to Andrew and Katharine Lipp in Fairchild. The family of eight moved to a farm south of Hingham in 1923. Phil graduated from Hingham High School in 1940 and attended Carroll College and Montana State College. He was inducted into the Army Air Force in September 1942, and served in Iran and Saudi Arabia. He was honorably discharged in November, 1945. Phil married a Hingham girl, Clara Muller, on Oct. 8, 1946, and they lived in Hingham until their five daughters were raised. During those years, Dad managed Lipp Motors, the local garage, gas station and fuel distributorship, until it was sold in 1982. Phil and Clara moved to Kalispell in 1983 and retired from the farm business in 1986. During their years in Kalispell, Dad replaced his love for farming with fulfilling yard work in the summer. In the winter he was always there to clear his neighbor s driveways with his trusted John Deere tractor. His manicured yard was his pride and joy. Dad and Mom enjoyed many years of golf and making new friends, but the most treasured times of their lives were visits from family and old friends from the Hi-Line. Phil was a very quiet man and like so many of his generation, he rarely spoke of his military service. It took many years for us to become aware of how proud he was to serve his country. He loved the Hi-Line, his friends and the farming way of life. His death was preceded by his wife, Clara on July 1, 2010; oldest daughter, Carolyn Davies in 1998; and his grandson, Drew Engebretson in 1990. His three brothers and a sister also preceded his death. He is survived by his daughters and their husbands, Marge and Bob Hoene of Bigfork, Jane and Nate English of Lolo, Rita and John Laird of Chester, and Diane and Keith Engebretson of Kalispell. Kim Spicher, of Whitefish, was considered their sixth daughter. Their grandchildren are Casey, Sara, Jessica, Cory, Heather, Mitch, Aaron, Megan, Keegan and Leah; and great-grandchildren, Carolyn, Finley, Edie, Evelyn, Georgia, Declan, Caitrin, Spencer and Emerson. Phil is also survived by his sister, Betty O Donnell of Billings. A special thanks to Dr. Tim Obermiller of KRMC for his thoughtful care of Dad. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13 at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 14 at Risen Christ Catholic Church with the Rev. Rudy Bullman officiating. Interment with military honors will follow the services at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. The family requests memorials be made to a charity of your choice in Phil s name. You are invited to visit www.buffalohillfh.com to sign the book or leave a message for the family. Rest in peace Mom and Dad. We love you. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.