Phillip Carl Colbjornsen (Phil) was born on January 7, 1935 to Carl & Eleanor(Stevens) Colbjornsen in Fargo, ND. He grew up in both Farwell & Alexandria where he graduated in 1953. He enjoyed being a fishing guide along with working for Supervalu and Wonder Bread. He enlisted into the US Army in 1957 where he spent 2 active years between Ft Gordon & Ft Benning GA. After basics he became part of the marksmanship unit at Ft Benning where he was a top member of the rifle team and awarded many medals and the badge for "elite" sharpshooter. He also attended a signal school and worked as a Communication Center Specialist. He was part of the reserves for an additional 2 years before being honorably discharged in 1962. Phil married Rose Elaine McDonald on August 12 1961, they resided in Hoffman where Phil attended the University of Minnesota Morris. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology and Physical Education in 1967. During this time, they started a family and then relocated to Parkers Prairie where he began teaching. In 1973 they built their dream home north of Alexandria near Lake Le Homme Dieu and lived there for over 27 years. Phil taught Biology, coached football, basketball, and track for over 30 years at Parkers Prairie High School before retiring in 1998. Soon after, Rose passed away unexpectedly and Phil moved up North to his hunting land near Kelliher. He enjoyed many years there with friends, gardening and watching wildlife. In the winter he lived in St Cloud where he remained closer to all his family. Phil loved gardening and had one heck of a green thumb. He enjoyed nature walks as he did with his students on field trips in earlier years. He was a Minnesota sports enthusiast and rarely missed a game. He watched football, basketball, baseball, hockey and in earlier years attended all his children's games for many different activities. He loved to talk about Biology with his friends and family along with telling many funny jokes and interesting old stories. Phil passed away peacefully on December 8, 2018 at his home in St. Cloud surrounded by his family. He will be forever loved and missed by all his family and many friends. He is survived by his 5 children, Michelle(Jeff) of Alexandria, Greg Colbjornsen of Alexandria, Ryan (Kim) of Alexandria, Amy (Chad) of St. Cloud, Julie (Troy) Fath of Hermantown, 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, his brothers Steve (Cher) Colby of Alexandria and Ron(Lynn) Colby of St Paul Park. Phil was proceeded in death by his wife Rose and parents Eleanor and Carl Colbjornsen. To Honor Phil's request, there will not be a public funeral service and burial. Family has planned a private celebration of Phil's life. Military Funeral Honors will be provided by the Memorial Riffle Squad (MRS) at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in St Paul.
Friday, December 28, 2018
Steve Colby > Brother 12.08.2018
Philip Colbjornsen died 12-08-18, at the age of 86. No service planned at this time. Obit pending.
Phillip Carl Colbjornsen (Phil) was born on January 7, 1935 to Carl & Eleanor(Stevens) Colbjornsen in Fargo, ND. He grew up in both Farwell & Alexandria where he graduated in 1953. He enjoyed being a fishing guide along with working for Supervalu and Wonder Bread. He enlisted into the US Army in 1957 where he spent 2 active years between Ft Gordon & Ft Benning GA. After basics he became part of the marksmanship unit at Ft Benning where he was a top member of the rifle team and awarded many medals and the badge for "elite" sharpshooter. He also attended a signal school and worked as a Communication Center Specialist. He was part of the reserves for an additional 2 years before being honorably discharged in 1962. Phil married Rose Elaine McDonald on August 12 1961, they resided in Hoffman where Phil attended the University of Minnesota Morris. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology and Physical Education in 1967. During this time, they started a family and then relocated to Parkers Prairie where he began teaching. In 1973 they built their dream home north of Alexandria near Lake Le Homme Dieu and lived there for over 27 years. Phil taught Biology, coached football, basketball, and track for over 30 years at Parkers Prairie High School before retiring in 1998. Soon after, Rose passed away unexpectedly and Phil moved up North to his hunting land near Kelliher. He enjoyed many years there with friends, gardening and watching wildlife. In the winter he lived in St Cloud where he remained closer to all his family. Phil loved gardening and had one heck of a green thumb. He enjoyed nature walks as he did with his students on field trips in earlier years. He was a Minnesota sports enthusiast and rarely missed a game. He watched football, basketball, baseball, hockey and in earlier years attended all his children's games for many different activities. He loved to talk about Biology with his friends and family along with telling many funny jokes and interesting old stories. Phil passed away peacefully on December 8, 2018 at his home in St. Cloud surrounded by his family. He will be forever loved and missed by all his family and many friends. He is survived by his 5 children, Michelle(Jeff) of Alexandria, Greg Colbjornsen of Alexandria, Ryan (Kim) of Alexandria, Amy (Chad) of St. Cloud, Julie (Troy) Fath of Hermantown, 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, his brothers Steve (Cher) Colby of Alexandria and Ron(Lynn) Colby of St Paul Park. Phil was proceeded in death by his wife Rose and parents Eleanor and Carl Colbjornsen. To Honor Phil's request, there will not be a public funeral service and burial. Family has planned a private celebration of Phil's life. Military Funeral Honors will be provided by the Memorial Riffle Squad (MRS) at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in St Paul.
Phillip Carl Colbjornsen (Phil) was born on January 7, 1935 to Carl & Eleanor(Stevens) Colbjornsen in Fargo, ND. He grew up in both Farwell & Alexandria where he graduated in 1953. He enjoyed being a fishing guide along with working for Supervalu and Wonder Bread. He enlisted into the US Army in 1957 where he spent 2 active years between Ft Gordon & Ft Benning GA. After basics he became part of the marksmanship unit at Ft Benning where he was a top member of the rifle team and awarded many medals and the badge for "elite" sharpshooter. He also attended a signal school and worked as a Communication Center Specialist. He was part of the reserves for an additional 2 years before being honorably discharged in 1962. Phil married Rose Elaine McDonald on August 12 1961, they resided in Hoffman where Phil attended the University of Minnesota Morris. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology and Physical Education in 1967. During this time, they started a family and then relocated to Parkers Prairie where he began teaching. In 1973 they built their dream home north of Alexandria near Lake Le Homme Dieu and lived there for over 27 years. Phil taught Biology, coached football, basketball, and track for over 30 years at Parkers Prairie High School before retiring in 1998. Soon after, Rose passed away unexpectedly and Phil moved up North to his hunting land near Kelliher. He enjoyed many years there with friends, gardening and watching wildlife. In the winter he lived in St Cloud where he remained closer to all his family. Phil loved gardening and had one heck of a green thumb. He enjoyed nature walks as he did with his students on field trips in earlier years. He was a Minnesota sports enthusiast and rarely missed a game. He watched football, basketball, baseball, hockey and in earlier years attended all his children's games for many different activities. He loved to talk about Biology with his friends and family along with telling many funny jokes and interesting old stories. Phil passed away peacefully on December 8, 2018 at his home in St. Cloud surrounded by his family. He will be forever loved and missed by all his family and many friends. He is survived by his 5 children, Michelle(Jeff) of Alexandria, Greg Colbjornsen of Alexandria, Ryan (Kim) of Alexandria, Amy (Chad) of St. Cloud, Julie (Troy) Fath of Hermantown, 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, his brothers Steve (Cher) Colby of Alexandria and Ron(Lynn) Colby of St Paul Park. Phil was proceeded in death by his wife Rose and parents Eleanor and Carl Colbjornsen. To Honor Phil's request, there will not be a public funeral service and burial. Family has planned a private celebration of Phil's life. Military Funeral Honors will be provided by the Memorial Riffle Squad (MRS) at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in St Paul.
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