Philip Glee Trieb was born on August 12, 1952 to Herman Trieb, a Navy veteran of WWII and earnest young businessman, and Pauline (Johnson) Trieb, an accomplished professional, in Kansas City, MO. Herman and Pauline brought their oldest son home to 7611 Hemlock, where he lived until college.
Phil had a beautiful mind from a young age. A talented, inquisitive, articulate child; he developed strong opinions and a love for written language, photography and adventure early in life. Fishing trips with his dad and beloved uncles Ed and Sy, Boy Scout adventures and camping with Trieb cousins made stories for life. He was close to his siblings Jay (Kay) Trieb of Overland Park, KS and June Trieb of Wichita and their families.
After high school, Phil spent a year at SDSU, and then base-camped in Minneapolis while he bicycled across the continent. He married Mary Burkman in 1979, and after graduating from SDSU with journalism degrees, they purchased a weekly newspaper in Gary, SD for $5000. Phil and Herman turned a rundown building into an office, and for years, Phil reported the news, never shying away from a controversial story. Phil became a dad in 1984- he called it one of his happiest moments. Little Jael could regularly be found playing on a typewriter in the newspaper office while his fingers flew over the word processor keys, documenting court cases, politics, ag markets and everything in between.
In 2002 Phil married Leena Lintila, a Finnish native who gave up her career in Tempura, Finland to create a life with Phil in Gary. They bought the house at 805 Lac Qui Parle, and spent many years filling it with their own treasures, stories, love and memories. They spent every free moment together; traveling, going to movies and concerts, and frequenting their favorite restaurants. Phil showed his love for Leena by making their house a home, staying up late to make her dinner after work each day, to read her his latest poem and laugh about the antics of their beloved cats. Phil loved experimenting in the kitchen and delighting Leena with new foods and methods for sourcing ingredients. :)
Phil’s faith was at the center of his life. His beautiful baritone was woven into many church services, his well worn Bible never far from his hand, and many conversations with friends and strangers alike about the Lord. His legacy lies in his children and grandchildren who deeply love the Lord and each other.
Phil was a pioneer in many ways. Perhaps his greatest passion was creating poetry and songs which he freely shared with anyone who would listen; sometimes even on stage as “Wally Firesteel, Cowboy Poet.” These gifts weren’t always understood in smalltown Gary, SD but his curiosity and unconventional way of living, seeking adventure and opportunities to be a good samaritan inspired each of his four daughters differently...
Jael’s spirit of entrepreneurship and creativity can only be attributed to the less traveled path Phil always took. She and Brian are raising Lincoln, Whitaker and Winston to be part of their company; just like Jael wrote news stories alongside Phil many years ago. || Bethany Seiter fearlessly carries on Phil’s love for adventure and creating great stories with Stephen and their four children; Lulu, Suvi, Silas and Malachi. || Lydia’s motto “A person’s a person, no matter how small” came from Phil’s value of seeking truth and advocating for people who are in need. She and Cyrus Gust are raising their boys Gabriel, Isaiah, Ezra and Archer to seek truth and compassion always. || Abigail has Phil’s uncanny ability to remember minute details, solve complex problems, and lives her life with his resilience and strength. Abigail and Coltin Brandenburger are raising their kids Ben, Elsy, and Gus near Gary.
To know Phil was to know a dreamer, a creative genius, a master of ingenuity, a friend to anyone he met and a father who loved endlessly. A lover of poetry, frugality and resourcefulness, Phil’s life saw hardships of numerous kinds, but they never defined him. He was genuinely happy, infinitely patient, and would spend an entire day on the smallest task if it would help someone in need.
As I write this, I’m imagining my dad with a red pen- marking it up like a good editor would; letting me know where I embellished too much and what I left out. Dad- our hearts are broken to say goodbye to you so soon, but above our tears is the assurance you were met in heaven by the Lord’s smiling face.
A celebration of life will be held at the Gary Legion Hall on November 7, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, our family is asking that memorials be made in Phil’s name to a fund that’s been set up to support Leena as she rebuilds a life and home. Checks can be sent to Deuel County National Bank (305 4th St. W., Clear Lake, SD 57226) or by Venmo @abigailbrandenburger
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