Philip Carl Solem

1955 - 2024

Philip Carl Solem, age 68, passed away on May 17, 2024 at his home in Randall, MN surrounded by family. His deep faith in God sustained him as he walked this earth and allowed him to find peace and to embrace his final journey with a sense of awe.

He was born on October 25, 1955 to Ardell (Sharon) and Lester Solem at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, MN. He lived nearly his entire life in the central Minnesota area - most of those years in pastoral rural settings.

Philip attended a country one-room school for grades 1-6 and then completed his public-school education as a graduate of Browerville High School in 1973. He briefly attended Southwest State College in Marshall, MN, and continued his education through his many interests and passions throughout the entirety of his life.

It's hard to think about Philip without noting his goofy sense of humor and quick wit, his deep intellectual thinking, long conversational skills, and his love of music. He LOVED playing guitar by himself, with family, and in the numerous bands that he was a part of. It was truly one of his greatest gifts.

Starting out his painting career with his partner Phil Gould in his early years, he continued to work in this field professionally for decades at St. Gabriel's Campus, Centra Care in Long Prairie, and for his own business "Phil's Painting."

Phil is survived by his wife Diane and his children Letty (Rob) Rabenberg, Kathlynn (Kelly Swee) Thelen, Jacob Solem, Kelsey (Micah Molnau) Solem, Jayme Solem, Brandon (Jamie) Zylka, Cassandra Zylka, and Alison (Caleb) White. His children blessed him with 11 grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Steven (Margie) Solem, Sharon (Fred) Zorn, and Lavonne (Joe Plouff) Solem. In his words, these people are what made life worth living.

Preceding him in death were his parents Ardell and Lester Solem.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank the Home Health staff from Knute-Nelson as well as the Hospice team for the support they provided to make his final days as comfortable as possible.

His immediate and extended family and his numerous friends will deeply miss Phil and the memories made with him will be cherished.

Cremation services were handled by the Cremation Society of Minnesota. Funeral service held on Saturday, May 25th at Grace Covenant Church in Little Falls, MN at 11AM with Pastor Keith Bergstrom officiating. Visitation one hour prior to the service. A private interment service will be held at the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery with the immediate family.