Doris A. Philippi

January 27, 1921 - November 13, 2017

Doris Ann Philippi was born to John and Anna (Tobiassen) Riel on January 27,1921 on the family farm south of Grafton, NE. She passed peacefully at Fairview Manor on November 13, 2017 at the age of 96 years, 9 months and 16 days. She was the second youngest of four children born to this union. Doris had a strong relationship with God. She was baptized at the Lutheran Church near her family’s farm. Her father was a charter member of the current Grace Lutheran Church in Geneva. Doris was confirmed at Grace Lutheran in June 1934. She always considered Grace to be her church and the day before her death she attended the 90th anniversary celebration of the church. Over the years Doris had played the organ at Grace, sang in the choir and taught Sunday School there. On May 27, 1950 she married Rex Philippi of Bruning at Grace Lutheran. Doris attended grade school at District 74 west of Geneva and then graduated from Geneva High School in 1938. She attended Normal School in Geneva and went on to teach in the rural districts around Geneva for the next 12 years. After her marriage to Rex the couple moved to Bruning and Doris continued her relationship with God at Trinity Lutheran Church. She continued to teach Sunday School, Bible School and was a leader in the Children’s choir. She was active in her church circle and bible study. The couple have 2 children, Kurt (Kathleen) of Bruning and Mary (Bernie) Miller of Colorado Springs, CO, Six grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Doris worked for 16 years as clerk at the Bruning Post Office, while working along side her husband as part of Rex Builders, where she and Doris Wilken did the finish work on houses that their husbands built. In 1973, Rex and Doris purchased Bruning Grocery. Doris loved being active in her community. She was a life member of the Legion Auxiliary and Foreign Wars Auxiliary. She was a 4-H leader. She loved to watch her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren at sporting events, or other programs. Doris never missed a good card game. She belonged to 2 bridge clubs and most Sunday afternoons were spent with Rex playing cards with her sister Helen and Helen’s husband Harold. Doris had a knack for doing beautiful handwork. She made countless pieces of Hardanger that are now cherished by family and friends. She also did embroidery work, counted cross-stitch and crocheting. In February 2016 Doris moved to Fairview Manor. She had made up her mind that it was time for someone to care for her. While at Fairview she reunited with Grace Lutheran Church as Pastor Kruschel came for Bible Study weekly. She continued to get books from the library and read avidly to the end. She reunited with some old friends and made many new friends there. Doris was preceded in death by her parents John and Anna Riel; brothers Bernard Riel, Arthur Riel and sister in law Phyllis; her sister Helen and brother in law Harold Everts; her husband Rex and an infant daughter. She is survived by her son Kurt (Kathleen) Philippi of Bruning, daughter Mary (Bernie) Miller of Colorado Springs, CO; Grandchildren Josef (Pat) Philippi of Axtell, NE, Ryne (Daina) Philippi of Bruning, Paul (Megan) Philippi of Bruning, NE, Joshua (Crystal) Johnson of Lynnewood, WA, Erin (Billy) Scarborough of Woodward, OK and Colin Miller of Colorado Springs, CO; 16 great-grandchildren; Kali and Willow Philippi, Elijah and Dominic Quinones, Brayden, Jackson and Kristopher Philippi, Brooklyn and Knox Philippi, Scarlett Johnson, Macie, Madison, Lillian, Emma, Charlotte and Tobias Scarborough and a host of family and friends. Funeral services were conducted at Trinity Lutheran Church on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Stuart Sell officiating. Myra Kluck accompanied the congregation in the singing of “Just As I Am,” “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “Abide With Me.” Pallbearers for the service included her grandchildren: Joseph Philippi, Ryne Philippi, Paul Philippi, Joshua Johnson, Erin Scarborough, and Colin Miller. Interment was held in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery following the Funeral Service. Farmer & Son Funeral Home conducted the services and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com Memorials will be directed to the Bruning Library and to the building fund at Trinity Lutheran Church.