Levi D. Phipps died at his home in Tekamah, Neb., at 9 o’clock Sunday morning of cancer of the stomach. He had been suffering with it some little time but his death was quite sudden and unexpected. The funeral was held at the family residence at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, under the auspices of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Nebraska. Mr. Phipps was 57 years old and seemed in the very prime of life when he left here a year ago. He was sheriff of Burt county for eleven years and spent two years here with his son, Lawrence, in the ice business. He was recently appointed Deputy Grand Custodian to help out Mr. French, who is getting pretty old and feeble, and had been visiting lodges in this capacity. He was exceptionally well posted in Masonic work and literature and was wonderfully well fitted for the new work he had undertaken and enjoyed it so much it seems too bad his column is cut off so early. He was a member of Adoniram Chapter No. 13, R. A. M., also of Jordan Commandery, No. 161, K. T., of this city and a number of his fellow Masons went up to attend the funeral service, which was conducted by Grand Master Viele, of Norfolk. He was also a Shriner. Better than all that he was a man, upright and true, worthy and well qualified to live, as well as to die, and will be greatly missed by all his brothers and fellows.

# 2 - - from the Pilot, January 10, 1917

OBITUARY OF LEVI D. PHIPPS

Levi D. Phipps was born in Cedar county, Iowa, February 3rd, 1860, and died at his residence in Tekamah, Neb., December 31st, 1916, being at the age of fifty-six years, ten months and twenty-eight days.

From Cedar county, Iowa, he moved to Benton county, Iowa, where he lived seven years and then removed to Guthrie county, Iowa. On June 30th, 1881, he was married to Hannah Davis and removed to Burt county, Neb. in December 1886, living one-half mile south of Tekamah for a few months, then removing to the vicinity of Craig, where he engaged in farming and resided until he was elected sheriff of Burt county in 1903. He served in that office for eleven consecutive years and gave universal satisfaction, being an honest and fearless officer at all times. He was a member of the Christian church in Iowa.

At the time of his death he was a member of Tekamah Lodge No. 31 A. F. & A. M., Mackey Chapter No. 24, Jordan Commandery No. 15, Tangier Temple of Mystic Shrine, Tekamah Chapter O. E. S. No. 131. He was very active in all of these organizations and held practically all the offices therein, including the offices of Worshipful Master, Worthy Patron, High Priest, and Eminent Commander, and was one of the best informed Masons in Nebraska, and at the time of his death was Deputy Grand Custodian of the state of Nebraska.

He is survived by his wife, Hannah Phipps; his son, Lawrence G. Phipps of Herman, Neb.; and his daughter, Goldie Phipps of Tekamah; also John Phipps, a brother of Wayne, Neb.; Willis Phipps, a brother of Bagley, Iowa; Mrs. Artie Schoonover, a sister of Charleston, N. D.; Hannah Johnson, a sister of Carrol, Iowa; Benjamin Phipps, a brother of Zeona, S. D.; and Eli Phipps, a brother of Bagley, Iowa.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. B. A. Fye at the home Tuesday afternoon and were under the auspices of Tekamah lodge 31 A. F. & A. M. The subordinate lodges of Decatur, Lyons, Oakland, Craig, and Herman were represented in the procession to the cemetery, the Sir Knights of Jordan Commandery acted as escort and guard of honor and Captain J. P. Cameron was marshal of the Masonic host. Grand Master Andrew H. Viele of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska conducted the services at the grave in a very impressive manner. The attendance was one of the largest ever witnessed in Tekamah. Many representative citizens from all parts of the county were present to tender their tribute of respect to one whom they had learned to love and admire for his many sterling characteristics. The most sincere sympathy is extended to the bereft wife, children and other relatives in this their great sorrow. - - - Burt County Herald

~There is another obituary Published in the Tribune Jan. 3, 1917. It does not have any additional information.

~~~ Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~