Mary Phillips Obituary

The memorial service celebrating the life of Mary Phillips of Wadena and Battle Lake, will be held at 1:00p.m on Saturday, July 19, at the former First Congregational United Church of Christ building in Wadena, with Pastor Jim Stoneman and Cindy Lemke presiding.
Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday, from 10:30a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in Wadena Cemetery, Wadena, MN.
At her favorite place on Lake Blanche in Otter Tail County, MN, Mary, 81, passed away with family by her side on July 9, 2025. Loving care was provided by her family and HIA Hospice (formerly Hospice of the Red River Valley).
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You are invited to watch the service via live-stream by going to the First Congregational United Church of Christ's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/people/First-Congregational-UCC-of-Wadena/100068659975957/
Note: Livestreaming will begin approximately 10 minutes before Mary's service.
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The Final Performance of Mary Doris Phillips
A Life in Full – A Celebration in Five Acts
Opening Night: May 8, 1944 – Fargo, North Dakota
Starring: Mary Doris Phillips (Sachow)
Directed By: Leslie & Lucille (Iverson) Sachow
Final Curtain: July 9, 2025, Age: 81
CAST & CREW
The Star:
Mary Doris Phillips – director of love, curator of community, bringer of light.
She was the kind of person who could turn a school auditorium into a stage worthy of Broadway, and a neighbor into a leading man. Her life was a production of joy, laughter, and fierce compassion. Whether welcoming people into her home or casting them in a Madhatter performance, Mary made sure everyone had a role to play - and felt they belonged.
SUPPORTING CAST
• Sam Phillips – her beloved co-star in life, married on June 27, 1964. Their love story was the kind that runs for decades and still brings the house down.
• Children:
o Molly (Mike) Peterson
o Pete (Shari) Phillips
• Grandchildren:
o Margaret Peterson
o Matthew Peterson
o Dylan (Gabie Hoffman) Phillips
o Madison Phillips
o Max (Hope Grasswick) Phillips
o Jenny (Trent) Holcomb
• Great-Grandchildren:
o Leroy Phillips
o Joshua Holcomb
o Harper Holcomb
• Extended Family:
o Nieces and nephews
o Cousins
o Lake Blanche Family
IN MEMORIAM
Preceded in death by her loving parents, Leslie and Lucille Sachow; her brother, Gregg Sachow; and her sister, Monica VanShoick
ACT I: Origins & Spark
Born in Fargo, ND, Mary's story began with wide skies and deeper dreams. At age 3, her family built their beloved retreat on Lake Blanche - a place that would later become her home with Sam, and today lives on through Pete and Shari. Even then, she had a flair for setting the scene.
ACT II: Love, Learning & Laughter
Graduating from Fargo High School in 1962, Mary took the stage at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, where she majored in English Education - a fitting choice for someone who could teach anyone to find their voice. She married Sam in 1964, launching a lifelong duet filled with warmth, dedication, and shared creativity.
ACT III: The Madhatter and Teaching Years
Mary's passion for theatre was not about the spotlight - it was about the ensemble. Through her leadership, the Madhatter performances became more than community plays; they were acts of unity. Mary's passion bloomed into something bigger than performance - it became community. Through her leadership, the Madhatter shows became a beloved tradition. Local businessmen, students, farmers, teachers - all found themselves on stage under Mary's direction. She had a singular gift for making everyone feel important, included, and seen. These weren't just productions - they were love letters to connection, courage, and inclusion.
Mary spent many years as a dedicated English teacher at Wadena-Deer Creek Schools, where she shaped the minds and hearts of junior high students with both passion and purpose. She believed deeply that reading was the gateway to empathy, understanding and better writing - and she encouraged her students to read voraciously, thoughtfully, and with curiosity. But Mary's classroom lessons extended far beyond grammar and literature. She made service a cornerstone of her teaching, guiding her students to complete community projects that taught them the value of giving back. For Mary, education wasn't just about academics - it was about shaping compassionate, engaged citizens ready to contribute to the world around them.
ACT IV: Lake Blanche and The Retirement Years
Life at Lake Blanche was more than beautiful scenery - it was an open invitation. At Mary's home, no one knocked, because everyone knew they were always welcome. Friends, family, and neighbors came and went with ease, knowing they'd be greeted with warmth, laughter, and fresh coffee. Somehow, whenever Mary wanted to throw a gathering - the weather cooperated. The skies turned blue, the sun came out and joy filled the air. But it wasn't just the weather - it was Mary. Her presence had a way of making everything brighter. Being with her felt like sunshine, no matter the forecast.
One beautiful way Mary showed her welcoming personality was through beading workshops she hosted at the cabin. Her table was often surrounded by friends, neighbors, and family - some experienced, others complete beginners - all drawn together by Mary's encouragement and open heartedness. These gatherings were never just about making jewelry; they were about connection. People came to create something beautiful, but they always left with something more; a sense of belonging, a renewed spirit, and often a deeper friendship. In every bead strung and every story shared, Mary was weaving community.
In her later years, Mary's life remained rich with love, creativity, and connection. Being a mother and grandmother brought her profound joy - she celebrated every moment with her children and grandchildren, cheering them on with pride and warmth. Just one week before she passed, she held her great-grandchild, Leroy Wilder Phillips, for the first time - a final, sacred moment of generational love.
FINAL ACT: Legacy
Mary's greatest performance may have been her everyday presence. She made people feel seen, important, and part of something bigger. Her legacy lives in every standing ovation, every cast member who found confidence on her stage, and in the hearts of those she loved fiercely and completely.
AUDIENCE REVIEWS
"She was a gift to this community."
"It was so impressive to see the cross section of the community she could bring together just amazing!"
"Her door was always open and welcoming."
FAMOUS LINES FROM SCRIPT
"Remember "
~ The appropriate response - "I Love You" by her children and grandchildren,
"Goodbye, goodbye, be always kind and true!"
~ Her signature sendoff - sung, of course, and never forgotten.
ENCORE
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation, either in person or by mail, to The Wadena City Library or the Wadena Memorial Auditorium.
Additionally, honor Mary by directing your own act of kindness. Open your door, invite someone in, put someone on stage who doesn't think they belong, sing loudly, love fully - build community wherever you go.
FINAL CURTAIN CALL
Mary exited the stage with a renown legacy, rich in joy, purpose and love. May it continue to echo in the rafters of every home, classroom, theatre, and heart she ever touched.