Andrew J. Phillips

Andrew J. Phillips

Andrew "Andy" John Phillips, age 77 of Woodbury, Minn., died of natural causes on April 16, 2025. His soul ascended as he looked out at Lake Amelia, a place special to him since childhood, full of stories and fond memories with family and friends.

Andrew "Andy" John Phillips was born on October 2, 1947, in St. Paul, Minn., to Wendell and Florence (Weisgram) Phillips, Andy was the fourth of 8 siblings in a faith-filled Catholic family. Knowing from a young age that he wanted to practice law, Andy earned a degree from St. Thomas University before graduating from William Mitchell College of Law, becoming an attorney in 1973. After law school, Andy moved to the Iron Range and opened successful practices in Virginia and Ely. He met the love of his life, Michelle Klima, and enjoyed life on the lake as they raised their two sons. Andy retired after over 40 years in law, often joking that "when you're retired, every day is Saturday." Over the last five years of his life, Andy enjoyed splitting his time between Woodbury, Lake Amelia, and Anacortes, Washington, maximizing quality time with all whom he loved.

During his life, Andy impacted many people, and his wisdom and great sense of humor will be remembered fondly. His generous and kind spirit was as broad as the prairies he hunted and as deep as the lakes that he fished with friends and family. As loved as he was loving, he is missed and will continue to live on in memory and story.

Andy was preceded in death by his father Wendell J. Phillips, mother Florence (Weisgram) Phillips, sister Marlys Cleaveland (Tom), loving wife Michelle (Klima), and son Wendell F. Phillips.

He is survived by his son Saul (Amber); grandsons Fiorello and Wendell; sisters, Kate Howard (Greg), Noreen Phillips, Wendy Meers (Tim), and Francis Zimmerman (Jim); brothers Joseph (Vicky) and Patrick (Beth); and a large, loving extended family.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on June 30, 2025, with the funeral to follow at 11:00 AM at St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church, 451 Lincoln Ave, Villard, MN, and burial at Calvary Cemetery in Villard following the ceremony. More information is available at: hoplinhitchcockfuneralhome.com/obituary/Andrew-Phillips.