Kristin A. Phillips

Kristin Anne (Adamson) Phillips, 44, passed away on Monday, November 27, 2023, in Rochester, MN after a difficult battle with a very rare and aggressive cancer that she fought with strength and stubbornness while still trying to live her life to the fullest. Kristin was born in La Crosse, WI on August 29, 1979 to Jimmy and Kathryn (Kreibich) Adamson.

Kristin attended elementary school in Apple Valley, MN and moved to La Crescent, MN at the age of 9. She graduated from La Crescent High School in 1997 with High Honors. While in high school, she was a member of the first female high school soccer team at La Crescent, starting her junior year. Her love for soccer continued throughout her life, by coaching her daughter Payton’s youth soccer team. She dedicated much of her time to further the La Crescent girls’ soccer program, which included getting a field named after her aunt Jane Weisbrod, the founder of La Crescent girls soccer program.

Kristin attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and graduated with degrees in Archeology and History, also with High Honors. She had a love of learning and history. Her travels reflected this, often including archeological and historical locations. After college Kristin went to work at La Crosse/McCormick Clock, went on to manage Bath & Body Works. She found her final career at the La Crescent Post Office in 2007 where she worked until her passing. Kristin was an active member of the Brownsville Lions Club and was always willing to volunteer in the Brownsville Community.

In 2000, Kristin met her future husband Matt. In 2003, Kristin and Matt eloped to Key West, FL. They were fortunate to have returned to Key West this past February to celebrate their 20-year wedding anniversary. Kristin’s most profound life accomplishment came when they welcomed their daughter Payton into the world on November 8, 2005. Kristin and Payton traveled the world. She cherished those memories and instilled a love of seeing the world and taking on life’s adventures in her daughter.

Kristin traveled the world, visiting six of the seven continents. She had many special trips with her husband, daughter, mother, sister, grandparents, and many friends and family members. When she was not traveling, she spent her summers enjoying time with family and friends on the river. She loved to laugh, make others laugh, and was the queen of tomfoolery. Her heart was big and generous, and she always took time to send a caring note of thoughtfulness, gratitude, and compassion. Kristin loved all animals big and small, domesticated and wild. She was a fierce advocate and donated to many foundations, too many to name.

In Kristin’s true spirit of generosity, her final gift was donating her eyes to the Lions Gift of Sight. She left this world a better place, and we are all truly lucky and grateful to have known her.

Kristin is survived by her husband Matt, daughter Payton, beloved Labrador Ruby, father Jimmy Adamson of La Crosse, WI, step-father Kerry Brinkman of Dresbach, MN, mother-in-law Kathy Phillips of Brownsville, MN, sister Erin (Chris) Collis of Chattanooga, TN, grandmother Lucille Kreibich of La Crescent, MN, niece Cayden Collis of Chattanooga, TN, nephew Ewan Collis of Chattanooga, TN, aunts Deborah (Jeff) Covey, Nancy (Bill) Kohlmeyer, Joanne Kletzke, uncles Tom (Dawn) Adamson, Mark Kreibich, Bill (Sandy) Kreibich, Paul (Gene Roe) Kreibich, and Tom (Leslie) Kreibich, and many cousins and special friends.

Kristin was preceded in death by her mother, Kathryn Brinkman, father-in-law Dave Phillips, grandparents Ottis and Elizabeth Adamson and Clarence Kreibich, aunt Jane Weisbrod, uncles Gail Kletzke and Garry Kreibich, and her Labrador Sunny Bear.

In all aspects of her life, Kristin created life-long friendships. She was a joyful person, with a love for life. She lived her short life to its fullest potential, with a constant smile on her face.

A Celebration of Life will be held on December 23, 2023 starting at 1 p.m. at the Brownsville Community Center, 104 N. 6th St, Brownsville, MN. This day was chosen in honor of Kristin’s love of Festivus and gatherings of family and friends. Please come with your special memories or stories to include in a memory book that will be compiled for her daughter, Payton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

The family would like to thank her Oncology, Radiology, ICU, and Floor Teams at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and La Crosse, WI.