LEE ALBERT PHILLIPS JR. ~~~A LIFELONG FRIEND AND FORMER BOARD MEMBER OF MT. PLEASANT HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

 

 Lee Albert Phillips Jr., 81, of St. George, Utah, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026, after a battle with Alzheimer's. Born in Mount Pleasant, Utah on December 2, 1944, Lee lived a life defined by service, leadership, and an unwavering devotion to his family and community.

Lee was the beloved son of Lee Albert Phillips Sr. and Glenna Rosina Hafen Phillips. He is survived by his cherished wife of fifty-seven years, Carol Lynn Herrin Phillips, who stood beside him through all of life's journey. Together, they built a beautiful family that was the center of Lee's world.

He was a proud father to five children: Lori Phillips (Darren), Jeffery Phillips (Becky), Tami Finau (Brett), Steven Phillips, and Travis Phillips (Aundrea). Lee's legacy continues through his18 grandchildren: Kameron Simonson (Ashlee), Meghan Peacock (Tyler), Braydon Simonson, Jakob Simonson (Dasya), Lukas Simonson, Alex Phillips, Robert Phillips, Krista Phillips, Lexi Phillips, Logan Phillips, Kilisi Finau, Keila Finau, Maili Finau, Keoni Finau, and Carson Phillips. He was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Hendrix Simonson, Axel Simonson, Madison Peacock, Miles Peacock, and Nova Simonson, who brought immense joy to his later years.

Lee is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Lois Monsen, and his grandson Skyler Phillips. He is survived by his sister Joan Markosian, with whom he shared many cherished memories.

Lee dedicated his professional life to banking, building a distinguished career at First Security Bank and later Wells Fargo Bank. His business acumen and commitment to excellence earned him respect throughout his career and the trust of countless colleagues and clients.

Beyond his professional achievements, Lee was a servant leader who generously gave of his time and talents to his community. He served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Sun Shiners, and President of the Rotary Club, where he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. He also served as Treasurer of the Salvation Army, demonstrating his commitment to helping those in need. His faith was central to his life, and he held many leadership positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including serving a mission in the Eastern Atlantic States from 1964 to 1966.

Lee graduated from Brigham Young University in 1971 with a degree in Sociology. As a proud alumnus, he remained a devoted fan throughout his life, regularly attending and watching BYU football and basketball games.

Those who knew Lee will remember him for his warm spirit and the smile that would light up any room. He was an avid golfer who enjoyed time on the course, but his true passions were found closer to home. Lee loved singing and in his earlier years, playing the guitar. He took great pride in maintaining his home and yards and found great satisfaction in mowing the lawn and making sure his lawn was the greenest one on the block.

One of Lee's most endearing qualities was his playful nature with his grandchildren. He would delight them with his Donald Duck voice, creating memories that will be cherished for generations. His ability to bring laughter and joy to his family was one of his greatest gifts.

Lee Albert Phillips Jr. was a man of integrity, kindness, and boundless love. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, the community he served, and the family he loved so dearly. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A celebration of Lee's life will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Metcalf Bonzo Mortuary (288 W. St. George Blvd, St. George, Utah). Friends and family are invited to a viewing from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., followed by a sharing of memories from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

 

 

Lois and Steve Monsen
Helping at Mt. Pleasant's Pioneer Day

“The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a Mother.” -St. Therese of Lisieux

Lois Phillips Monsen was born in Mt Pleasant Utah on July 7, 1935 to Glenna Rozina Phillips and Lee Albert Phillips.

From the beginning Lois was a protector and nurturer, these traits were most apparent when her parents brought home her little sister Joan and then her baby brother Lee.

Growing up in Mt. Pleasant, Lois met her husband Stephen Monsen in elementary school, they later became high school sweethearts and went on to get married and sealed in the Manti Temple on June 29, 1956.
One year later they welcomed their first son Stephen Craig Monsen and just one year after that, their second son, Robert Tod Monsen was born. And Finally, the Monsen family grew to 5 with the birth of their daughter Stephanie Monsen Anderson.

The first few years of married life were a beautiful blur as Lois was busy being a nurturer and protector to her children. She kept everything running while her husband attended school. Lois was committed to providing a great life for her family, sometimes working outside the home to help give her children the best opportunities. Lois was an immaculate house keeper and an incredible cook.
As Lois became a grandmother to 19 grandkids and 38 great grandchildren, she continued to be a nurturer and protector to her ever growing family.

Lois was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The gospel was always central in her life as she spent time in many church callings. Some of her favorites included working with the Young Women and being an ordinance worker for the Provo Temple. Lois and Stephen accepted the opportunity to serve a mission in the Mormon Trail Center for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the at Historic Winter Quarters in the Nebraska Omaha Mission from 2012-2013.
Lois was also a member of the National Society of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

Lois was a true example of Christs love. She always had a smile, a hug and an I Love You for everyone. Her listening ear, laughter, quick wit and ability to give the best advice will be greatly missed.

On March 13, 2024 Lois was reunited with her Heavenly Father and her beloved Stephen.
Lois leaves behind her sister Joan (Lou) Markosian, her brother Lee (Carol) Phillips, her 3 children: Craig (Shelly) Monsen, Tod (Robi) Monsen and Stephanie (Jon) Anderson, 17 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents Glenna Rozina Hafen and Lee Albert Phillips, her husband Stephen Monsen, her son-in-law Jon Anderson, her granddaughter Amy Monsen and her grandson Jessie Monsen.

Services were held at the Mapleton 2nd Ward Meeting house 1050 N 300 W

Stephen Brent Monsen

 

 

Obituary for Stephen Brent Monsen

Stephen Brent Monsen
1936-2021

Stephen, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend passed away June 8, 2021. He was surrounded by family members as they cried, laughed, and shared memories of his life and love.

Stephen was born May 29, 1936, in Spring City, Utah to Sheldon Monsen and Inez Justesen Monsen. His aunt always told the story of Stephen being born in the family home while she held the light. He spent his childhood in Mt Pleasant Utah, playing sports, riding horses, herding sheep, and of course being with friends and family. It was in grade school that Stephen started teasing a girl sitting in front of him, Lois Phillips, they later married in 1956 in the Manti Temple and the teasing continued throughout their marriage. Stephen and Lois added two sons to their family in 1957 and 1958 and a daughter in 1960. True to tradition, the 2 sons continue Stephens's love of teasing. Stephen was not afraid of hard work and always expected perfection. Stephen graduated from Snow College in 1955 and from Brigham Young University in 1960; the day his daughter was born. He worked for the Fish Game in Ephraim, Utah and continued his career as a botanist for the US Forest Service in Boise, Idaho and Provo, Utah. He was an expert in his field and published numerous papers and books on rangeland ecology. He had a love for the outdoors, gardening, raising animals, hunting, and spending time at his cabin in Fairview, Utah. His greatest love was his family. He loved supporting them in all of their activities and giving everyone in the family encouragement and guidance in their lives. An additional love of Stephen’s was food--especially sweets. A couple of the family’s favorite memories are of Grandpa Steve starting up his tractor, putting the grandkids (or great-grandkids) in the bucket, and driving the backroads in Mapleton to get a candy bar and a soda pop. When they returned from the tractor ride he would tell the kids scary stories and spend hours playing catch. Stephen was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions throughout his life. He was always serving others and made sure to teach his children the importance of charity; this Christ-like example is something the family hopes to carry on.

He is survived by his wife Lois Phillips Monsen, children; Craig and (Shelly) Monsen, Tod and (Robi) Monsen, and Stephanie and (Jon) Anderson, 18 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Sheldon and Inez Monsen, brothers; Sheldon Jay Monsen and John Phillip Monsen, and grandchildren; Amy Rebecca Monsen and Jesse Stephen Monsen.

Funeral and viewing Service will be held at the Mapleton 23rd ward building house (1050 N 300 W) Friday, June 18th at 10:30 AM. A viewing will precede the services Thursday, June 17th at 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Friday, June 18th from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. Stephen will be buried in the Mt. Pleasant, Utah cemetery. Funeral services provided by Premier Funeral Services. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.premierfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please donate to your favorite charity.

Kent B. Monsen

Jay Monsen

August 24, 1933  ~  February 10, 2013

Our beloved Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and Brother, Jay Monsen, passed away peacefully at his home in Mt. Pleasant, Utah on February 10, 2013. He was struggling to overcome a battle with cancer, which took his mortal life but not his spirit, and he was surrounded by all of his children and many of his grandchildren as he drew his last breath.
Jay was born on August 24, 1933 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, the oldest of three sons born to Sheldon and Inez Monsen. He spent his early life in Mt. Pleasant, learning to love sports, broadcasting, his country, and the Lord. After graduating from North Sanpete High School in 1951, he attended Snow College. His education was interrupted when he was drafted into the army, and he spent two years, mostly in California, as a medical orderly.
After his stint in the army, he was encouraged to attend BYU, where he studied Communications and Speech. While at BYU, Jay was attracted to the raven-haired beauty, Lauretta Young Monsen, whom he married for eternity on March 9, 1957 in the Manti Temple. Lauretta was his earthly companion for 55 years, until she unexpectedly passed away last Easter Sunday. Dad tried to continue on after her passing, but it was no secret that he missed her dearly, and his sadness was a testament to the love he felt for her.
While in high school, Jay had dreams of being a great basketball player. These dreams were cut short when he didn’t make the team his junior year. Not to be discouraged, he became involved with a radio station at the High School, which operated on a radio transmitter taken from a surplused World War II destroyer. He started calling games in high school and continued on with this vocation at Snow College, and later BYU.
Over the course of his life, he estimated he broadcast over 2500 sporting events. These broadcasts included games with KSUB radio in Cedar City, Utah, when he broadcast many events involving CSU (later SUSC) athletic teams. He also broadcast countless High School games, sometimes doing as many as 8 games a day during the High School State tournaments. After eleven years in Cedar City, Jay spent two years at KSL, and two years working on Congressman Gunn McKay’s staff in Washington, D.C.
In 1972, Jay received a job offer to come and work at KBYU in Provo, Utah. This was the same year that LaVell Edwards became head coach, and Jay had an idea to use the facilities and talent at the University to record and tape delay re-broadcast BYU sports on the University’s PBS station. Like Lavell’s football team, the idea of having basketball and football on TV took off, and Jay became passionately involved with BYU’s athletic teams. His vision and passion became the impetus for the wider coverage that BYU athletics enjoys today. His involvement continued until just a few years ago, when he was still broadcasting BYU’s women’s basketball games, whom he affectionately referred to as “my girls!’
It was a great honor for Jay to be inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame and the BYU Sports Hall of fame, but his great legacy is the one of love and compassion he showed to everyone who crossed his path. He has a very quiet, but strong love of the Gospel, and he served faithfully his whole life in every calling he was given. His two favorites were as Bishop, where he influenced countless youth, and as a Temple worker with his wife in the Manti Temple. He was also involved in countless family gatherings, and he was always there for athletic events, baptisms, weddings, and mission farewells and homecomings.
Jay is survived by his seven children: Sheldon Ronald and Debbie Miller Monsen of Richfield Utah; Jaye Lynn and Mark Robison of Provo, Utah; David Evans and Shellie Moore Monsen of Orem , Utah; Lauri Ann and Ken Grier of Macedon, New York; James William and Karen Cresswell Monsen of Payson, Utah; Joseph Paul and Luciana Rodrigues Monsen of Orem, Utah; and Jeanne and Ramon Elias Tejada of Mt. Pleasant, Utah. He is also survived by 36 Grandchildren and 14 Great Grandchildren, and his two brothers, Stephen and Lois Monsen of Winter Quarters, Iowa, and John and Vi Monsen of North Salt Lake. A special thanks goes to his daughter, Jeanne and her husband, Elias. Their unending love and faithful watchfulness over him these last few months were an example of love that will always be remembered by Jay and the family.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 19th at 11:00 a.m. in Mt. Pleasant, Utah under the direction of Bishop Brotherson of the Mt. Pleasant 3rd Ward (295 South State, Mt. Pleasant, Utah). There will be a viewing at the Church one hour before the funeral, as well as Monday night, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Rasmussen Funeral Home at (96 N 100W, Mt. Pleasant Utah). Interment will be in the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery. 

Peter Monsen, Obituary Tribune 1924

Sheldon Monsen Passes Away June 28, 1975

 

Olive Monsen Pritchett Funeral Program

Lyman Sheldon Monsen ~ Funeral Program ~ He Died July 1, 1975

O.M. Aldrich ~ 1964

Laura Olsen Livsey Obituary

This lovely lady was one of the 85 widows that President Thomas S. Monsen cared for til she and the other 84 passed away.  She lived just across the street from his parents on eighth south and 2nd west, Salt Lake City Utah.  Her husband was a member of the U.S. Army Band.  He died while she was still raising their family.  She was one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known.  She became a substitute grandma for me when my own grandmother and her sister Trena Olsen Rodgers Bjelke passed away.  Their father and mother (Hans Peter and Anna Kirstena Madsen Olsen) immigrated to Mt. Pleasant in the 1860s from Odense, Denmark.