Phillip Oliver Midtvedt

Phillip Oliver Midtvedt was born March 15, 1938 in Minneapolis, MN to Harold and Dolores (Gephart) Midtvedt. His death occurred on October 4, 2025.

Phil grew up in Lakeville, MN when it was just a small community south of Minneapolis. He was the second oldest of five boys, commonly called "the wrecking crew" by various relatives.

While attending Lakeville High School, where he graduated in 1956, Phil was co-captain of the football team, homecoming king, on the National Honor Society and had the lead part as Mr. Smith in the play "Meet Me in St. Louis". During his junior year he signed up for the Naval Air Reserves finally becoming an air traffic controller in Olathe, Kansas.

After high school Phil worked for his grandfather Leonard Gephart at the Gephart Furniture Store as an appliance repairman.

On June 27, 1959 Phil was united in marriage to Kathleen (Kay) McLinn. They were blessed with son Tom from Des Moines, lowa and Mary from Minneapolis.

Phil started his 49 year career in 1961 as a sales representative in the apparel industry calling on major and independent merchants in a four state area. During his career he was honored with awards from Northwest Buyers and Jobbers, Inc. as Sales Representative of the Year, Tandy Brand/Princess Gardner Regional Sales Manager Award for Outstanding Territory Development and Tandy Brand Accessories Million Dollar Award.

In June of 1976 Phil and Kathleen G. (Gleeson) were married. Their primary home was in Minneapolis, but they spent several summers in Alexandria at their cabin on Lake Carlos. In 1979 they moved into the old Dubeau home on 7th and Douglas in Alexandria before moving out to Lake Darling in 1985.

Phil loved to fish and spent many years with "the guys" in Canada on their annual fishing trips. He loved to teach his grandchildren to fish. One of the key words he would tell them was "you have to have patience when fishing"

His love of travel took him to Hawaii, Mexico, Norway, Germany, Prague and most every state in the U.S. A number of winters were spent in Orange Beach, Alabama, Florida and Arizona

Some of Phil's fondest memories growing up in the small town of Lakeville were helping pick peas at the Hammer farm, riding ponies and living in the country. He attributes his Grandfather Leonard, Uncle Lenny Gephart JR., Joe Lauer (Lauer Glove Co.) and Ron Zeman (Detroit Lakes) to have had the greatest impact on his life.

Over his life these have been some of Phil's favorite things: scuba diving in Hawaii, his fishing boat/trips, the Bee Gees, roses and peonies, hamburgers with NO onions, color blue, dogs Blackie, Sasha and Nora and visiting relatives in Norway whom he found doing extensive genealogy. His favorite words were whatever, I see, let's listen and lights on for safety.

Phil was proceeded in death by his grandparents Leonard (Josephine) Gephart, Olaf (Esther) Midtvedt, his parents Harold and Dolores Midtvedt, brothers Harold, Raymond and David, brother in law David Gleeson, sisters in law Karen Midtvedt,and Rosie Midtvedt, daughter in law Susan Midtvedt and many aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen, son Tom of New Prague, daughters Mary (Mike Berger of Two Harbors, Pam (Todd) Lezer of Sauk Centre, stepson Randy (Lacey) Olson of Yucaipa, Ca. and grandchildren Wyatt, Grace, Sophia, Elizabeth Midtvedt, Noah and Olivia Lezer, Zach (Lauren) and Lauren Olson, brother Dennis (Lois) and brother in law Larry Gleeson (Dallas), sister in law Sharon Gleeson (Dallas along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for Phil will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at First Congregational Church in Alexandria beginning at 10:30 AM. A public visitation will be held at Anderson Funeral Home on Friday, October 17, 2025 from 5 PM - 7 PM, as well as one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. 

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS MEMORIALS TO LAKES AREA HUMANE SOCIETY ARE PREFERRED.