Phillip Koehntop

Phillip John Koehntop was born on January 29, 1947, in Morris, MN to Walter and Louise (Abel) Koehntop.  He grew up near Morris and was baptized at Emmanuel Lutheran Church and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cyrus.  He graduated from Cyrus High School in 1965, and then attended Moorhead State for 3 years.  Phillip served in the U.S. Army from October 1968 – September 1970 during the Vietnam War.  When he returned he attended Dunwoody Institute in tool-die and mold-making.

Phillip met Sandra Solvie in first grade at the dentist, who many years later would be the love of his life.  Phillip and Sandra were united in marriage on June 26, 1971, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.  The couple lived in Minneapolis and Phillip finished his schooling at Dunwoody Institute.  Phillip worked at Hitchcock Industries in Bloomington for a short time before getting diagnosed with MS in 1972.  The couple was blessed with two children, Lucas and Heidi.  The family built a home on Red Rock Lake near Hoffman in 1987, where they have lived since.  Phillip loved riding his 4 wheeler around his property and all around the area. Phillip loved riding on his 4 wheeler so much that he would put around 10,000 miles on it each year.

As a boy, Phillip enjoyed hunting and fishing with his father.  He also liked woodworking and building bird houses and feeders for neighbors or anyone that would like one free of charge.  He also enjoyed playing cards, watching Wheel of Fortune, Indy Race Cars, and the Kentucky Derby.   He loved being outside and riding his 4 wheeler no matter if it was sunny, raining or snowing.  He was also known to be good at starting up a conversation and visiting with people, as he genuinely cared for everyone.

Phillip died on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, at the St. Cloud Hospital from the result of an ATV accident at the age of 70.  He is survived by his loving wife, Sandra of Hoffman; son, Lucas (Lisa) Koehntop of Lowry; daughter, Heidi (Jeff Sell) Koehntop of Wolverton, MN; grandchildren, Ryan Phillip and Emma Catherine Louise Koehntop; brother-in-law, David Mecklenburg of Morris; sister-in-law, Yvonne Solvie of Alexandria; nephews and nieces, Kevin (Jenny) Mecklenburg, Loren (Kaylene) Mecklenburg, Kevin (Leslie) Dosdall, Julie (Steve) Sherman, and Jere Dosdall.  Phillip is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Louise; sister, Marjorie Mecklenburg; brother-in-law, Jerome Solvie; and niece, Kris Anderson.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Hoffman.  Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM on Monday, October 16, 2017, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Hoffman and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.  Military Honors were provided by the Hoffman Legion Post 393 and the Minnesota National Honor Guard.  Inurnment was at Trinity South Cemetery in Cyrus.