Feisty at 94, wearing his Devils Lake t-shirt, with his family singing all of his favorite songs Phillip Maurice Elvrum passed peacefully on January 5, 2024. Phillip liked to introduce himself saying he was born in Devils Lake, ND on Dec. 7, 1929 to Ethel (Nesset) and Philip Elvrum. Then he wanted to know if you had ever been to that farming metropolis. Phillip met his wife Georgia Mae (Belford) when they were 15 years old. It was the pairing of two Ramsey County early pioneering families. They graduated from Central High in 1948. It was his good fortune to have Georgia guide him along, tempering his exuberance and laughing at his wild sense of humor while they dreamt of their future in the big world.
Together Georgia and Phillip created a wonderful life moving to Washington after Phillip returned from his army years in the Korean War. He graduated in 1955 with a Masters Degree in Education from Western Washington College of Education and they headed with their two children to Edmonds, WA retiring from education in 1990. He was thrilled when former students recognized him around the community.
The Elvrums built their home in Alderwood Manor, WA moving in the day the Century 21 World’s Fair opened in Seattle in 1962.In retirement, Phillip and Georgia spent the next 30 plus years working in their beautiful yard, travelling the world, with months at a time in Kona and going several times a year to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Mainly, they focused on their family, especially their beloved grandchildren. They cherished their grandchildren; reading, travelling, singing and laughing together. Phillip spent over 30 years as a very jolly Santa and is distinguished in Seattle as the last of the legendary Frederick and Nelson’s Santas.
Phil is predeceased by Georgia (2014) and siblings, Joan Bedlington, Alice (Manthei)Daiger, and Howard Elvrum. He is survived by daughter Susan (Steve Glass) Alderwood Manor, son Flip (Janet Lowman) Anacortes; grandchildren: Phil Elverum, Hannah Elvrum (Barry Miller), Chaya Glass (John Barnes), Izak Elvrum (Katy Hancock) and Cora Glass (Forrest Perrine); great-grandchildren Maggie and Audrey Miller, Agathe Elverum, Max and Georgia Barnes; sister Ethel Siemens (Jack) of Harlem, MT; brother Donald Elvrum of Bloomington, MN and numerous nieces/nephews including Joel Elvrum, Scott Elvrum and Lanny Gulseth of Devils Lake, Mary Osland Thompson of Park River, and Margaret Lamb Sinner of Fargo, and many great-nieces/nephews.
Phillip was a staunch Democrat and a proud Norwegian with a loud singing voice. He loved whistling, poetry, American history, eagles, music, theater, cookies, growing tomatoes, cowboy movies, Georgia’s cooking, reading, and Ole and Lena jokes. He was curious about the world but returned often to North Dakota spending time with family. Phillip’s sense of humor and abundant generosity will be missed by his “people.” Memorials can be made to your local library and buy a humorous book to read to a kid.