Helen Carolyn 'Carol' Biller Phillips, 90

Helen Carolyn “Carol” Biller Phillips was born Aug. 16, 1922, and passed away in Kalispell on Nov. 27, 2012, at the age of 90.

Carol, the youngest of five children, daughter of David Howard Biller and Mary Theresa Robinson Biller, was delivered by her grandfather, Dr. J.G. Biller, at the family home in Spadra, Calif.

Raised on a citrus ranch in rural Los Angeles County, Carol enjoyed the warmth and happiness of a close-knit farm family. Summering with her grandparents at Laguna Beach was a highlight for her. As a youngster, Carol attended a tiny rural school and then continued her education "in town" at Pomona High School where she met and fell in love with her future husband, Louis Phillips. After graduating from Pomona Junior College she went on to attend UC Santa Barbara.

As World War II progressed, Carol left school to work in the wartime Douglas Aircraft factory, while Louie became a Marine pilot and would later fly B-25s in the Pacific. On a short leave from Marine Corps flight training at Cherry Point, North Carolina, Louie drove home for a surprise visit to marry Carol. Their wedding was May 19, 1944, a date that was always remembered because it coincides with opening day of fishing season!

After the war, the young couple settled in Claremont, Calif., for a time and then in early spring of 1949, packed up and moved to Kalispell. Carol had many interests but closest to her heart was home and family. She was a true nurturer as well as an industrious, tireless wife and mother. Being a wonderfully positive and gracious person, Carol was always looking for the good in people. With her quick smile and gentle reassurance, Carol has been a strength for all of her family and friends. On one hand, athletic Carol could fish, hunt and camp with the best of them but her center was always her children and later, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved gardening, cooking, sewing and the simple pleasures of living in the home that she and Louie built together on the outskirts of Kalispell. She often spoke about how wonderful it was to be surrounded by so many happy memories.

Carol continually marveled at the beauty of Montana and the changing seasons. Although she loved solitude, she was a holiday lady who looked forward to festive times of year. She enjoyed hosting friends and family get-togethers at home, at their little cabin on Swan Lake or the Salmon Prairie Ranch on Swan River, and how she loved the Christmas season. In later years, although she could hardly wait to come home to Kalispell, Carol enjoyed fishing and dog-walking with her husband Louie at Lake Havasu, Ariz., during the winter months.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Louis T. Phillips; father and mother, David Howard and Mary Theresa Biller; brothers, John Biller and James Biller; and sister, Virginia McCaslin.

She is survived by her sister, Patricia Hickson of Carlsbad, Calif.; her four children, Pam Chute of Kalispell, Janet Phillips of Huson, Mont., David Phillips of Kalispell, and Roger Phillips of Kalispell; daughters-in-law, Jackie Phillips of Kalispell and Carole Phillips of Lake Five; grandchildren, Ethan Chute and wife Lisa of Ramsey, Minn., Jessica Chute of Kalispell, Ira Chute and wife Kirsten of Austin, Texas, Stacie Anderson and husband Mark of Seattle, Melissa Phillips of Lake Five, Carrie Short and husband David of Seattle, and Chris Phillips of Kalispell; five great-grandchildren, Caleb and Carissa Chute of Ramsey, Minn., Carter and Emma Chute-Teigen of Kalispell, Hayden and Bryson Phillips of Lake Five, and Ilsa Chute of Austin, Texas.

The needs of the family are being cared for by Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. A private family gathering will take place at Conrad Memorial Cemetery in July 2013.

Rather than flowers, Carol would have you remember those in our valley who are in need. Suggested donations are our Flathead Food Bank, the Veteran's Pantry or Kalispell Hospice.