Philip D. Kirstein

KIRSTEIN, COLE, BERNHARDT, HOYD

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/21/2007 at 00:13:25

Wright County Monitor
19 April 2007

Philip D. Kirstein, 59, of Clarion, passed away Saturday, April 14, 2007 at Wright Medical Center, Clarion. Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 17th at the United Methodist Church, Clarion. Pastor Don Morrison officiated the 1:30 p.m. service. Inurnment will be held at a later date. Phil donated his body to the University of Iowa.

Philip D. Kirstein was born January 4, 1948, the son of Robert D. and Laurel (Cole) Kirstein. He lived his entire life in the Clarion area. His class was the last to graduate from the sixth grade at a one room school in Woolstock Township. He attended Clarion High School and graduated in 1966. Phil was raised on the family Century Farm in Woolstock Township and enjoyed farming from an early age. He raised pigs from age 11, and purchased his first tractor while a junior in high school. To pay for the tractor he applied fertilizer on many local farms. The local Jaycee Chapter recognized Phil's dedication to Agriculture by naming him Outstanding Young Farmer in 1973. Following high school Phil served in the Army National Guard for six years. Phil and his high school sweetheart, Judy (Bernhardt), were married on March 4, 1972 at the United Methodist Church in Clarion. To this union three sons were born. The family centered their life around farming for 35 years. Phil loved watching the changing seasons in agriculture and being a good steward of the land. He also enjoyed all motor sports on TV or as a spectator. His favorite pastime, though, was being with his family. He cherished the time spent farming with all three sons, loving and teasing his daughters-in-law, and being a Grandpa. He has been active in the United Methodist Church serving as an usher, Sunday School teacher, chairman of Pastor Parish relations committee and on several other committees.

Surviving are his wife-Judy; three sons-Kent Kirstein and wife, Kelly; Dean Kirstein and wife, Abby, all of Clarion; and Cole Kirstein of Ankeny; three grandchildren; one sister-Mildred Hoyd and husband, Dale of Boise, Idaho; one brother-Paul Kirstein and wife, Pat of Clarion; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Laurel Kirstein; one infant sister, Karole Ann; and one brother, Randy. Memorials may be directed to Wright County Hospice.