Thomas Phillips

On August 14, 2025, Thomas Michael Phillips, age 58, passed away due to complications from a high grade glioma brain tumor. He left us way too soon, but is now joyfully enjoying fishing and hunting in Heaven at any time he likes!

 

He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family at Aspirus Wausau Hospital in the Palliative Care Unit. He was blessed with a week full of a lot of family and friends visiting in the hospital, with tons of love, stories and laughter prior to his passing.

 

Tom was born on November 9th, 1966 in Albert Lea, MN to Michael (Mike) Phillips and Sally (Halverson) Trytten. He was the oldest child, with two younger siblings. He had a younger brother, Terry (1 1/2 years younger), who passed away way too young and his younger sister, Kelli (7 years younger).

 

Tom graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1985, where he still holds a Track & Field record in 300m Intermediate Hurdles (38.9 seconds) that he set in 1984. Along with his great Track & Field success, Tom was a very strong competitor in Wrestling. We found out a day before Tom passed away that he will be inducted into the Albert Lea High School Athletic Hall of Fame! Very well deserved and so incredibly special!

 

After high school, Tom moved to St. Cloud and attended the St. Cloud Technical College for a short time and was also working part time at Best Buy in the warehouse. He was unsure about his choice of majors and decided not to continue at the Technical College. As he worked at Best Buy longer, he realized that he could see himself pursuing a future with the company. Tom then proceeded to continuously work his way up in the company and worked with Best Buy for 30 years, until he was diagnosed with his initial brain tumor in 2017. Tom truly loved working for Best Buy and always held dear the company and all of the many, many deep and special friendships he was blessed with through his time there and beyond. He always called it his Best Buy family.

 

In 1991, Tom met his cherished wife, Beth (married almost 32 years), when they both worked at the Eau Claire, WI Best Buy. They both knew early on in their relationship that they were meant to be together forever. Their journey with Best Buy took them to various places: Duluth, MN, several places in Michigan and they finally settled in Wausau, WI. 

 

Tom and Beth fell in love with the Wausau community, central and northern WI and made some amazing memories with their boys and so very many outstanding friendships throughout the years. Tons of amazing memories were made.

 

An avid outdoorsman, Tom did a ton of trapping when he was younger, along with a variety of hunting and fishing adventures during his whole lifetime. Some of his most memorable experiences included his annual fishing trips to Canada, the annual deer hunt in Houston, MN and turkey hunting. Also, he fished as much as he could with Beth and the boys and a large amount of other hunting activities.

 

Tom was a diehard Minnesota Vikings fan and convinced his three boys early in their lives to follow their Dad in that loyalty, much to the chagrin of Beth, who is a strong diehard Green Bay Packer fan. Tom, Beth and the boys have enjoyed watching football and a very large variety of sporting events over the years.

 

Tom enjoyed doing volunteer work through Best Buy and also with his boys' sports through the years. He worked a lot of hours and travelled for his job, but he always tried to be at as many of his son's activities as was humanly possible and he did an amazing job with that. That was always very extremely important to him.

 

Tom's family wants to intensely share their deepest appreciation to the many doctors, even more super nurses, all of his inpatient therapy caregivers (both times he was there) and his various physical, occupational and speech therapists who helped him through his journey. Also, the many kind receptionists, assistants and ALL of the staff who were a part of his care. A great thanks also goes to the Good News Project in Wausau, WI for their kindness, compassion and help with all of the equipment rentals needed for Tom.

 

Tom is survived by his dad, Mike (Sue) Phillips, of Geneva, MN; his mom, Sally (Greg) Trytten, of Albert Lea, MN; his sister, Kelli Tiegs (fiancé Len Olson) of Albert Lea; his wife, Beth Phillips of Wausau, WI; his 3 sons, Jacob Phillips and Michael Phillips of Wausau, WI and Sully Phillips of Owatonna, MN. He's also survived by many amazing aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

 

Tom was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Robert (Bob) and Beverly Phillips; his maternal grandparents, Merle Halverson, his first wife Bonna Bel and his second wife Marion; his brother, Terry Phillips; his uncle Pat Phillips, aunt Kathy (Phillips) Branstad, and his uncle Kirk Halverson.

 

A visitation for Tom will be held on September 19, 2025 from 4-6 p.m. at Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Services, 2210 E Main St, Albert Lea, MN 56007. Another visitation will be on September 20, 2025 from 1-2 p.m. preceding his funeral at 2 p.m. held at St. Theodore's Catholic Church, 315 E. Clark St, Albert Lea, MN 56007, with burial and luncheon to follow.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Good News Project (goodnewswi.com and click on Donate) or St. Jude (stjude.org).