The funeral service for Philip “Phil” Allen Ness will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. Curtis Zieske will officiate. Visitation will be from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea and one hour before service at the church. Interment will be in the Glenville Cemetery.
Philip was born in Albert Lea on March 1, 1948, the son of Earl and Elaine (Cederstrom) Ness. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. Philip graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1966. He attended the University of Minn., St. Paul Campus, obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education. He was a member or the Delta Theta Sigma Fraternity.
He taught for a short time. He worked for the University of Minnesota Kandiyohi County Extension Service for two years. In 1974 he began farming on the home farm where he currently lived and farmed. As a young man he obtained his pilot’s license.
Phil was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. He had served on the DHIA Board.
He was married to Mary DeKoster on Sept. 1, 1990, at the Hollandale Reformed Church. Phil enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family.
Philip died of cancer on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, at the Albert Lea Medical Center. He was 60 years old. He was proud to have been selected to participate in Mayo’s Cancer Stem Cell Research.
Philip is survived by his wife of 18 years, Mary Ness; daughters: Sondra and Alysia; sister, Lois Steiger; brother, Bruce (Eileen) Ness; step mother, Gertrude Ness and her family; mother-in-law, Dorathea DeKoster; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Sally (Rand) Hart, Jackie (Devon) Thomas, John (Glenda) DeKoster, Claire (Paul) Gillaspey; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Philip was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Elaine Ness; brother-in-law, Bruce Steiger; father-in-law, Lucas DeKoster; niece and godchild, Megan Steiger.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested for cancer research.