Thief River Falls, Pennington County (trfnews.i234.me) — Yvonne Philipp, 92, died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026.
She lived in Thief River Falls and was formerly from rural Goodridge.
She was under care at Oakland Park Nursing Home and Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Life in the Thief River Falls area
Yvonne Elizabeth Mead was born July 25, 1933, in Grandview, Manitoba.
Her parents were Dorothy “Dolly” (Bounds) Mead and J. O. Mead.
Her family moved when she was 3.
They settled on a small farm west of Thief River Falls in Nordan Township.
She attended country school and Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls.
She was part of the Class of 1951.
She later earned her GED in 1970.
She met Vernon Philipp in the late 1940s.
They married Oct. 22, 1950, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls.
The couple lived briefly in the Twin Cities.
They later settled on a farm in Grand Plain Township in Marshall County.
The farm is northeast of Thief River Falls.
They lived there for about 60 years.
She moved into Thief River Falls in 2013.
Vernon Philipp died in 2003.
Work, church, and hobbies
The family said Philipp stayed busy through the years.
She raised four children and kept a large home running.
She did yard work and garden work.
She often cooked meals for crews in the field.
She also helped with planting and harvesting.
She ran farm equipment and hauled grain.
In the 1970s, she worked as a teacher’s aide.
She served at Mark Twain and Knox elementary schools.
She volunteered with 4-H and church projects.
She held roles at Silver Creek Church and St. John’s Lutheran Church.
She also joined area women’s groups.
She spent many hours crocheting.
She made blankets, pillows, and wall hangings.
Family said she earned many ribbons for her work.
After her children moved away, she started a craft business.
The business was called Hobbies Etc.
She sold items at local sites, including the old Rex Café.
She also sold at Country Kitchen and Handy Farms.
She enjoyed flowers and flower arranging.
She traveled to craft shows and sightseeing.
She often went with her sister, JoAnn Peters, or friends.
Her family said her greatest joy was time with family.
Service details
Services are set for Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
The funeral begins at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls.
Visitation starts at 10 a.m.
Rev. Jeffrey Lytle will officiate.
Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls.
Survivors
Philipp is survived by three sons.
They are Joe (Sue), Dale (Wendy), and Mike (Becky).
All live in the Thief River Falls and Goodridge area.
She is also survived by a son-in-law, Daryl Augustine, of Higginsville, Missouri.
She leaves eight grandchildren.
They include Derek (Susan) Augustine and Dana (Randy) Shafer.
They also include Brad (Kylee), Brent (Crystelle), Sally (Duke) Wolff, Johnny (Kristal), Nolan, and Isaac.
She also leaves 11 great-grandchildren.
They are Kayla, Gracie, Adam, Brenden, Allison, Shianne, Riley, Carlye, Elliot, Norah, and Jed.
She is also survived by her sister, JoAnn Peters, of Viking and Thief River Falls.
She is survived by her brother, Frank (Jean) Mead, of Lakeville.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
She was preceded by her husband, Vernon, in 2003.
She was preceded by her daughter, Paulette Augustine, in 2023.
She was also preceded by many relatives.
Condolences may be shared at Johnson Funeral Service.
May her memory be blessed.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.