Lorna Rae Philp

Lorna Rae Philp, 50, of Hilger (Winifred) left her earthly body at home surrounded by her husband Tom and loving family and friends, Thursday evening, January 28, 2021.. She fought a valiant fight against cancer and advocated for HPV testing and vaccination to help young people avoid spreading the virus that can lead to cervical cancer.

Lorna was born June 27, 1970 in Glasgow, Montana, the daughter of John A. and Ella Mae (Heser) Stolen. She was welcomed by three sisters, Lee Ann, Torri, and Jerra. The family lived on a farm south of Wolf Point and received her early education at Frontier Elementary and Wolf Point High School, graduating in 1988. She began her college program in North Dakota and transferred to Montana State University in Bozeman where she received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree in 1992.

Career Path:

1989: Hired as a Coop Student with the Soil Conservation Service

May 1995: Graduated from Montana State University

May/June 1995: joined Malta Field Office Staff as a Soil Conservationist

1997: Became District Conservationist in the Malta Field Office

May 2008: Transferred from Malta to Lewistown as the District Conservationist

February 2019: Promoted to the Supervisory District Conservationist for the Lewistown Work Unit including Stanford and Winnett

Lorna and Tom met in Malta on the dance floor in 1996 and never looked back. They were united in marriage on September 19, 1998 in Malta and were soul mates for life.

Lorna is survived by her husband Tom (William T.) of Winifred, daughter Kimberly (Chad) McNeil and two grandsons, who she greatly adored – Wyatt and Easton of Gillette WY; Tom and Vicki Philp and family; sisters Lee Ann Tank of Wolf Point MT; Torri Tanzini and family of upstate NY; and Jerra (Wayne) Fjelstad and family of Snohomish WA. She has a large family of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who will also miss her infectious smile and positive personality.

Lorna and Tom were involved in the foreign exchange program and were parents to six boys who call them Mom and Dad and remain in close contact. Victor Acero (Venezuela), Frederik Nielsen (Sweden), Nate Stordahl (Norway), Sebastian Cevallos (Ecuador), Gabrielle (Bobo) Adorni (Italy), and Jesper Perden (Finland).

Lorna lived passionately. She loved to dance and watching her whirling around a room with Tom was breathtaking. She took full advantage of our beautiful Montana setting and brought beauty to her surroundings with her gardening and soil conservation knowledge. She also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping.

Lorna had 100% commitment to her many friends and family, on an individual basis and through her involvement in her community. She was a Winifred Ambulance EMT and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Lorna was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents John and Martha Stolen and Frank and Faye Heser.

A celebration of life service will be held in the Winifred School Gym on Friday, February 5, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. A private graveside service will follow. A reception to gather and share memories will reconvene at the Winifred School. Hand sanitizer and masks will be provided. Social distancing guidelines will be followed. Live streaming provided by American Lutheran Church of Winifred. On Facebook search American Lutheran Church LCMC Winifred MT. A recording will be available from family by request.

Memorial donations will go to Winifred Ambulance Association and Winifred Cemetery for Memorial Benches.