Lucelle "Lu" Philips

Lucelle "Lu" Esther (Larsen) Philips, 87, of Hamilton, MT, passed away peacefully at home, July 2, 2015. She was the youngest of twelve children born to Lars Peter and Christina Katherine (Thormahlen) Larsen. She was born in a farmhouse, September 28, 1927, in Bridger, Montana, weighing about 1.5 pounds. She had to be carried on a pillow and slept in a box surrounded by jars filled with hot water on the door of the farmhouse stove. She was quickly nicknamed "Little Bit" or "Bitty". A favorite hiding spot for her was inside a milk can. Everyone soon learned they had to check for Little Bit before filling the milk can.

Lu grew up in Bridger, Billings, and Anaconda, Montana. She met the love of her life, Earle E. Philips, at a dance in Anaconda and they were married November 2, 1944. Their marriage was one of great love, joy, and closeness and they were seldom apart. Lu even worked with Earle installing carpet in many homes in the Bitterroot Valley. This wonderful marriage celebrated nearly 61 years until Earle's passing in 2005.

Together, Lu and Earle had three children, Earl, Mary and Tina. Lu's greatest joy in life came from her family, which filled her with pride. She was truly loved by her family, and she continually showered them with abundant love. Her loving spirit and amazing sense of humor will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends. She will also be missed by her wonderful caregivers (Laurie, Julena / Rose and Diana) who have become a part of our extended family.

Lu lived in a very comfortable home that she and Earle remodeled together. They discovered Earle's great grandmother had lived in the home many years earlier and had planted the tree in the back yard that produces the most wonderful apricots that many have enjoyed. This tree, over 200 years old, was a great source of joy for Lu and the birds and squirrels. Lu's love for flowers and gardening is evident by the beautiful grounds that surround her home.

Faith and the church have always been an important center of Lu's life. She has been a Sunday school teacher and superintendent of Sunday school. She served as elder and deacon and volunteered in several ways for many years. Lu became a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hamilton in 1964. She treasured the many wonderful friendships she had in this congregation.

She is survived by son Earl Philips III and his wife Karen of Hamilton, daughter Mary Guse and her husband Ron of Helena, Montana, daughter Tina Modine and her husband Errol of Sunnyvale, California, and grandchildren Caryn Guse of Sherwood, Oregon, and Daryl Guse and his wife Debbie and great grandchildren Katie, Morgan and Logan Guse of Kalispell, Montana, and Casey Guse and his wife Katrina and great-great-grandchild, Addyson of Bozeman, Montana. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Marie Larsen and Bettie Larsen of Billings, Montana, and brother-in-law Don Philips of Salmon, Idaho.

Lucelle was preceded in death by her husband Earle Philips and her siblings; Ethel Larsen Lapp and her husband Hank, Wallace (Wally) Larsen, Wilber (Web) Larsen, Alfred (Jim) Larsen, Clarence (Cal) Larsen and his wife Inie, Gladys Larsen Shipp and Dave, Clara Larsen McClure, Arthur (Boots) Larsen, Elmer (Buster) Larsen and his wife Betty, Charles (Chuck) Larsen, Lars (Lardy) Larsen and his wife Peg.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to the First Presbyterian Church, 1220 W. Main Street, Hamilton, MT 59840.