Philips, Paul Kaeberle 1958-2014

PHILIPS, KAEBERLE, ADEN

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/2/2014 at 10:54:47

On Thursday morning, Sept. 18, 2014, Paul K. Philips, 55, died in Westminster, Colo.

Paul suffered from cancer for the last year and a half of his life. Despite the hardships the cancer brought to his life, he accepted his diagnosis with grace and continued to enrich the lives of those closest to him with his indomitable spirit and affection.

Paul Kaeberle Philips was born Oct. 15, 1958, to Jason David and Arley Kaeberle Philips in Sioux City. Growing up in Akron, Paul loved showing livestock at the Plymouth County Fair, and being a member in 4-H.

A sports fanatic, Paul played baseball, basketball, football and golf. When he graduated from Akron High School in 1977, he went on to Iowa State University. He continued his passion for football by playing for the ISU Cyclones for three seasons. He joined the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He earned a bachelor of science degree in animal science in 1981.

After graduating from ISU, Paul took a position in the Beef Division with the MBPXL Corporation in Wichita, Kan. He later worked with Cargill, and most recently for JBS in Greeley, Colo., for their Natural Beef Division.

On Oct. 24, 1992, Paul married Karen Aden in a private ceremony at Shawnee Mission, Kan. Soon they were blessed with two amazing daughters, Kaeberle Marie and McKenna Aden.

Paul remained an avid Cyclones fan and he also rooted for the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rockies.

A few short sentences about the highlights of his life aren't enough to convey who Paul really was. His sense of humor, his kindness, and his spirit will live on through the memories of his family and friends. Even though his life was cut short at 55, it was a life richer than some who live much longer.

Paul may be gone but the ones we love never truly leave us.

Paul is survived by his wife Karen, and daughters Kaeberle and McKenna, for whom the end came much too soon despite the brief time they had left after the diagnosis. Paul also leaves behind numerous family members, his younger sister, Paige, and older brother Reid and wife Camille; his nieces Taryn Knott and her husband Brennan, Lauren Philips, Addie Van Nimwegen and her husband Colby and their son Elliott, and Mollie Cook; his nephews Blake Philips and Harrison Cook. His parents Jason and Arley Philips, remain in Akron, where Paul was born and attended high school.

His death is mourned by a number of in-laws as well: his mother-in-law Leda Smith; his brothers-in-law, Michael Aden, and Eric Aden and his wife Kristen and their daughter Hadley.

Paul was preceded in death by an infant sister, Melanie; maternal grandparents, Walter and Margaret Kaeberle; paternal grandparents William and Irene Philips; and father-in-law Dale Aden.

Other family members and too many friends to list will also feel the loss of Paul sharply in the weeks and months to come.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. at the Adaville United Methodist Church, Merrill, with Pastor Merrill Muller officiating.

There will be a luncheon following the service and a time of remembering in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be directed to the Make a Wish Foundation or a charity of choice.

Le Mars Daily Sentinel
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Le Mars, Iowa