Van Philip Pence
1924 — 2009
ALBERT LEA — Remembering the life of Van Philip Pence.
The Funeral Service for Van Philip Pence of Albert Lea, formerly of Geneva, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, at Ascension Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Mark Boorsma will officiate. Interment will be in Geneva Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, 2210 East Main St., Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church.
Phil died on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009, at St. John’s Lutheran Home. He was 85. Van Philip Pence was born on April 6, 1924, to Ralph and Alice (Larson) Pence in rural Blooming Prairie where he attended country school, graduating from Ellendale High School in 1942.
Soon thereafter, Philip became employed with Jostens, worked on the family farm, and was united in marriage to Delphine H. Peterson on April 20, 1945, in Geneva, where they made their home for many years. Philip made his life-long career at the Foundary in Albert Lea where he worked for 36 years. Shortly before retirement from the Foundary in Albert Lea, Philip and Delphine opened Phil’s Saddleshop, which became a full-time commitment following retirement. Philip was a horse lover, having raised numerous horses and ponies. He shoed horses, was active in the Albert Lea Saddle Club, took horses to the fair, was a volunteer firefighter in Geneva, he enjoyed bowling, played in several card clubs, had a passion for gardening, going on fishing trips with family and friends up north, and spending time with family.
Following the sale of Phil’s Saddleshop, they moved to Albert Lea in 1989, where they have resided for 20 years. In Albert Lea, Philip became a member of the Ascension Lutheran Church, Eagles’s Club, and Senior Center. Philip also looked forward to fishing at Fountain Lake for bullheads as well as meals out with friends. Philip greatly enjoyed playing cards, pool, and bingo with friends at the Senior Center (this was the highlight of his life).
Philip is survived by his wife, Delphine, of Albert Lea; one son, Howard (Gail) Pence of Arlington, Texas; one daughter Dawn (Dwayne) Gross of Blooming Prairie; four granddaughters, Holly (James) Vilgil of Walsenburg, Colo., Tasha (Dave) Gilbertson of Mantorville, Stacy Pence of Manhattan, N.Y., and Brandy (Mike) Spain of Michigan; three grandsons, Brandon (Melanie) Gross of Claremont, Howard Jr. (Allison) Pence of Houston, Texas, Hunter Pence of Houston, Texas; ten great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Elaine Peterson of Geneva; and nieces and nephews.
Philip was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Alice; two brothers Kenneth and Benny.
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