Phillip Wellvang

Phil Wellvang, age 95, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2021 at the Homestead Assisted Living at Rochester. Phil was born in Mineola Township near Zumbrota on July 9, 1925 to Albert and Pauline Wellvang and grew up on a farm. He graduated from Zumbrota High School and soon after married his high school sweetheart Elaine Anderson. They shared over 66 years of marriage before Elaine passed away in 2010. Like many of his generation, Phil served his country with distinction as a soldier in WWII. Phil saw action in Europe with the 376th Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division, where he became a Staff Sargent and received the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in battle in Germany. After returning from the war, Phil began his long career in the life insurance industry spanning over 60 years. Selling insurance turned out to be the perfect occupation for Phil, combining his outgoing personality, his natural drive and his love of people. In the early 1950s, he and Elaine, along with their 2 young boys, moved to Rochester where Phil took over an insurance agency which eventually became the Wellvang Agency. Over the years he grew the Wellvang Agency to provide insurance products for multiple generations of farmers, business owners and residents in the Rochester area. While Phil's clients were always his prime passion, another of his proud accomplishments was earning his CLU degree (Chartered Life Underwriter) through evening and weekend study at Rochester Community College (now RCTC), where he later taught CLU classes for up and coming insurance agents. Phil's passion for the insurance business was equally matched by his passion for traveling with Elaine. In the mid-1960s they began their "trailering days", first with a travel trailer and later with their RV. On most weekends throughout the summer, they would meet up with their RV friends at various campground destinations in SE Minnesota for fun and comradery. By the early 1970s Phil and Elaine's traveling ventures led them to Arizona, where they began an unbroken span over 40 years of spending increasing amounts of time in the Grand Canyon State during the winter. Since moving to Rochester in the early 1950s, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church was always an important part of Phil's life. When he and Elaine joined the church it was only one year old. They quickly became enthusiastic members of the Gloria Dei community and helped it grow. After Elaine's passing in 2010, Phil appreciated the companionship and caring community at Gloria Dei, especially the weekly brunches with dear friends after Sunday services. Phil was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine, and his son James. He is survived by his son Steven (Melinda) and his grandsons, Thomas (Cara), Daniel and Michael, and great-grand daughter Lila, as well as members of his extended family spread across the country. He will be deeply missed, particularly his ever-present smile and enthusiasm for life, by his beloved family and many friends whose lives he touched. We are grateful for the expert and loving care provided Phil the last years of his life by the dedicated Homestead Home Health staff, as well as the Mayo Hospice team. A celebration of the life of Phil will be held on Saturday, August 14, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m at the Ranfranz and Vine Remembrance & Reception Centre, 5482 Royal Place NW, Rochester. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Wellvang family; to share a special memory of condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com