Lynn E. Phillips, the youngest child of Clarence and Jessica (Brott) Phillips was born in the home of his grandparents Edwin and Margaret Brott in Mullen, NE on August 17, 1933 and departed this life on December 7, 2016 at his home in Mullen. For the first two years he lived in a sod house on his grandparent Phillips’ homestead 30 miles north of Whitman and then the family moved to a ranch 13 miles northeast of Mullen where he grew up. He rode his pony 2 ½ miles to the Virginia school and later graduated from the Mullen High School in 1951. He married Joellen Loudon on March 23, 1951 and except for 6 months in Arkansas, they lived on the home ranch north of Mullen. In 1959 the family moved to Mullen and opened Phillips Tire and Service and provided auto body repair, general auto mechanics, Allis Chalmers farm equipment, and tires. When his father decided to retire in the early 1970s they sold the business and purchased the ranch and cattle and moved back to the country. When his sons married he turned the ranch over to them. At this time, his father-in-law, Roy Loudon, who lived north of Thedford, was in failing health so he helped him and took over the management of the place upon Roy’s death in 1985. When Joellen retired in 1998 they moved to the place in March and back to Mullen in late November and this they have continued to do. Lynn loved the Sandhills and his goal in life was to preserve them. He did everything he could to protect and care for the hills. Lynn liked to travel and he and Joellen, and often their youngest daughter Barbara, visted almost all the states. The highlight of their trips was a 6 week camping trip to Canada and Alaska when they were in their early 70s.
Lynn is survived by Joellen “Jody”, his wife of 65 years; his children, Rosalee Crofutt of Paxton, NE, Lyle (Twila) Phillips and Leonard (Alisa) Phillips both of Mullen, and Joyce (Bob) Hardy and Barbara Olson both of Chadron, NE; as well as 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by an infant son and daughter; his parents; sister Jacqueline Lange; brother Clarence “Bud” Phillips, Jr.; and two sons-in-law Wayne Crofutt and Larry Olson.
Memorials are suggested to the 1st United Methodist Church in Mullen or Cedarview Cemetery and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. MT Monday December 12, 2016 at First United Methodist Church in Mullen. Burial will follow at the Cedarview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. MT Sunday December 11, 2016 at First United Methodist Church in Mullen with Family Receiving Friends from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.