Barbara Lynn Phillips

BARBARA LYNN PHILLIPS, age 65 of Waseca, died peacefully at her home on the morning of Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

Barb was born in Hutchinson on June 29, 1959, to parents Robert and Donna (Lindemeier) Phillips. She graduated from Perham High School in 1976. She was married to Jerry Horton for a time before their divorce. Later she spent time with her significant other, Kevin Morsching. In her 20’s Barb worked for the forest service in Arizona, which was her favorite job of all time. Later she worked factory jobs and retired from Daiken in July of 2024. She also bartended at the Thirsty Beaver for over 25 years. She felt blessed to be able to take her dream trip to Alaska, where she caught an 80 lb. Halibut! In 2023 she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and she fought a very admirable fight. Each day Barb woke up with a song in her heart and she was always positive. Her life’s mission was to make an impact on everyone she met. She was very successful. She enjoyed cooking for people, fishing, hosting game nights, canning, gardening, watching Viking football, making people laugh, and taking her dogs to the lake. She was a long-time member of the Waterville Sportsman’s Club.

Barb is survived by her daughter, Ambria Morsching; dogs Libby and Luna; a foreign exchange student that became family, Sofia Witt of Los Andes, Chile; a grand-dog, Pip; and sister, Karen (Keith) Sperl; nieces and nephews, Steph (Gerald) Koljonen, Christopher (Chrissy) Phillips, Robert (Ashley) Phillips, Nicole Phillips, Corey Sperl, Devon Sperl, Austin Sperl; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents; her parents; a daughter, Amber Horton; and a brother, Nick Phillips.

Barb’s family will host a funeral service at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, September 20, 2024 at Sunrise Church in St. Peter. A celebration of Barb’s life will follow at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at the Thirsty Beaver in Elysian. Interment of Barb’s ashes will take place in Oakland Cemetery in Hutchinson at a later date.