Phillip H. Girgen

Phillip H. Girgen, age 92 of Maplewood and formerly of Vermillion, died suddenly but peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, March 16, 2021. Phillip Herman, the son of Joseph and Mary (Welsch) Girgen, was born on March 13, 1929, at the family farm in Vermillion. Following his education, Phillip helped on the family farm, as well as many local farms and drove the rendering truck prior to beginning his twenty-nine year career with MN DOT. He also enjoyed volunteering with Goodwill and driving the collection truck. Phillip was united in marriage to Clarine Ostertag in April of 1955, and they were blessed with eight children prior to her passing in April of 1991. He later married May Girgen in June of 1993, and she later preceded him in death in September of 1995. Phillip then married Bernice Steinmueller in 1998 and they have enjoyed the twenty-three years of marriage together. Phillip enjoyed fishing, woodworking, painting, and was an avid Bingo player. He also loved dancing, especially waltzing and polka. Due to his first wife's health conditions, Phillip was a dedicated blood donor with American Red Cross and encouraged his children to follow in his footsteps as well. He was a devout Catholic and a longtime member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Vermillion. He was preceded in death by his parents; former wives, Clarine and May; siblings, Francis, Jerome, Rosemary, Delores, and Clarence; great granddaughter, Maci Townsend; and by his stepson, Arthur Young. Phillip is survived by his wife, Bernice; children, Joseph (Sue) Girgen, Jeffrey (Linda) Girgen, John (Jean) Girgen, Janet (Doug) Hince, James Girgen, Joyce (Russell) Townsend, Jerald (girlfriend, Kelly Loesch) Girgen, and Julie Girgen; daughter-in-law, Joyce Young; grandchildren, Brian, Mindy, Jeremy, Jeff H., Jeremy H., Melisa, Zakry, Deanna, Jonathon, and Anna; great grandchildren, Olivia, Wyatt, Cayson, Silas, Brandt, Leo, Crosby, Madelyn, Scarlet, Quintin, Jacob, Hallie, Lexus, Aunna, Jemma, Kenley, Jett and Levi; and by other relatives and friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Vermillion, with Father Michael Tix officiating. Interment will follow at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Cemetery in Hastings. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 am. Tuesday morning at church. Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.