Lorna Philp
Lorna Rae Philp, 50, of Hilger (Winifred) left her earthly body at home surrounded by her husband, Tom, and loving family and friends, Thursday evening, Jan. 28, 2021.
She fought a valiant fight against cancer and advocated for HPV testing and vaccination to help young people avoid spreading the virus that can lead to cervical cancer.
Lorna was born June 27, 1970, in Glasgow, Mont., the daughter of John A. and Ella Mae (Heser) Stolen. She was welcomed by three sisters, Lee Ann, Torri and Jerra. The family lived on a farm south of Wolf Point and received her early education at Frontier Elementary and Wolf Point High School, graduating in 1988.
She began her college program in North Dakota and transferred to Montana State University in Bozeman where she received a bachelor of science in agriculture degree in 1992. Her career path was 1989 hired as a co-op student with the Soil Conservation Service, May 1995 graduated from Montana State University, May/June 1995 joined Malta field office staff as a soil conservationist.
Lorna met Willy “Tom” Philp in Malta on the dance floor in 1996 and never looked back. They were united in marriage on Sept. 19, 1998, in Malta and were soulmates for life. In 1997, she became district conservationist in the Malta field office, May 2008 transferred from Malta to Lewistown as the district conservationist and in February 2019 promoted to the supervisory district conservationist for the Lewistown Work Unit including Stanford and Winnett.
Lorna lived passionately. She loved to dance and watching her whirling around a room with Tom was breathtaking. She took full advantage of our beautiful Montana setting and brought beauty to her surroundings with her gardening and soil conservation knowledge. She also enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping.
Lorna had 100 percent commitment to her many friends and family, on an individual basis and through her involvement in her community. She was a Winifred Ambulance EMT and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Lorna is survived by her husband, Tom (William T.) of Winifred; daughter, Kimberly (Chad) McNeil, and two grandsons, who she greatly adored, Wyatt and Easton, of Gillette, Wyo.; sisters, Lee Ann Tank of Wolf Point, Torri Tanzini and family of upstate New York and Jerra (Wayne) Fjelstad and family of Snohomish, Wash.; and Tom and Vicki Philp and family of Suffolk, Mont. She has a large family of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who will also miss her infectious smile and positive personality. Lorna and Tom were involved in the foreign exchange program and were parents to six boys who call them Mom and Dad and remain in close contact: Victor Acero (Venezuela), Frederik Nielsen (Sweden), Nate Stordahl (Norway), Sebastian Cevallos (Ecuador), Gabrielle “Bobo” Adorni (Italy) and Jesper Perden (Finland).
Lorna was preceded in death by her parents; and grandparents, John and Martha Stolen and Frank and Faye Heser.
A celebration of life service for Lorna Stolen Philp will be held in the Winifred School Gym on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, at 2 p.m. A private graveside service will follow. A reception to gather and share memories will reconvene at the Winifred School. Hand sanitizer and masks will be provided. Social distancing guidelines will be followed. Live streaming provided by American Lutheran Church of Winifred. On Facebook, search American Lutheran Church LCMC Winifred MT. A recording will be available from family by request.
Memorials may be made in Lorna’s name to the Winifred Ambulance and the Winifred Cemetery. Note “for benches” in the memo line and they may be left with the Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be left on-line at www.cloydfuneralhome. com.
(Paid Obituary)
