Phillip Messer

A funeral Mass for Phillip Messer,90, of Richardton, will be 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Richardton with Father Thomas Wordekemper, OSB celebrating. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Visitation for Phillip will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 16, 2019 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, with a rosary and vigil service taking place at 6:00 p.m.

Phillip passed away Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at home surrounded by his family.

Phillip Messer was born February 8, 1929 in Richardton, North Dakota to Phillip and Barbara (Martin) Messer. He grew up on the family farm south of Richardton and attended country school through the eighth grade. He worked on the family farm alongside his dad until he met Betty (Schmalenberger). The couple married May 22, 1951 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Richardton.  Together, Phillip and Betty made their home on a ranch south of Richardton along the Beaver Creek.  It was there they raised their children and continued to make their home.

In his younger years Phillip was a member of a band and enjoyed playing the accordion and organ. He was known to be a man of integrity.  Phillip was a member of the Lions Club, Zoning Board, Stark County Weed Control, Knights of Columbus, Richardton School Board for 26 years and Richardton Health Care for 41 years. He also served on the Medcenter One board of directors, was a chartered member of the ND Stockman’s Association, and was selected as farmer/rancher of the year by the Soil Conservation. He was a lifetime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Richardton Saddle Club. He also served as Stark County Commissioner for 18 years and was a member of NCBA. Phillip always had a lesson to teach, especially to his grandchildren.

“He was a man who led by example. He had his priorities straight; faith, family, farming and ranching. He believed in making a difference and not just being a bystander but taking part in his community and everyone’s community. Always smiling, had a joke and loved bigger than any man I know. A great dad, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather and great-great-great-grandfather.”

Phillip is survived by his children, Barb Ruhland of Watkins, MN, Pat (Lyndia) Messer of Cromwell, MN, Randi Messer Schaeffer of  Bismarck, ND, Mark (Carol) Messer of Richardton, Jerome “Jerry” (Deb) Messer of Richardton, Fritz (Karen) Messer of Cheyenne, WY, Vickie (Wade) Entze of Golden Valley, ND, Margie (Aron) May of Glenwood, MN, Greg (Dori) Messer of Richardton, Tina Akins of Cheyenne, WY, and Scott (Lisa Scott) Messer of Richardton; siblings, Barbara (Eleanor) Hoff of Richardton, Aurillia Reed of TX, and Setona Gartner of Germany; 43 grandchildren and 80 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild with several on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Phillip and Barbara Messer; wife, Betty; sons-in-law, Larry Ruhland and Christopher Schaeffer; brother-in-law, Robert Schmalenberger; grandson, Jason Ruhland; great grandson, Gabriel Olson; grandson-in-law, Todd Lundquist; and siblings, Sally, Lina, Hellen, Paul, Ralph, George, and Tony.