Doris Mae Phillips, 98, long-time Spearfish resident, died peacefully at home on Sunday, October 4, 2015. Doris was born November 15, 1916 in Brownton, Minnesota to Maynard and Golda (Hilts) Alexander. She was the second of three children.

Maynard died in 1919. Two years later, Golda took her children to a farm near Redfield, where her family was living. Growing up, Doris had many opportunities to get involved in school and church activities, starting her on a lifelong path of civic service. She and her siblings became involved in church youth group and choir and many high school organizations.

Doris graduated from Redfield High School in 1934 and enrolled in Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa because she was interested in its outstanding music department and traveling choir. She graduated from Morningside in 1939 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and then attended the University of Illinois, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Library Science in 1941.

Following graduation, Doris became the Circulation Librarian at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, from 1941-1948, then moved on to the same position at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa from 1948-1952.

In 1952, Doris was invited to apply for the opening position of Head Librarian at Black Hills State College in Spearfish. She accepted the position, expecting to stay for two or three years, but remained for thirty, retiring as Library Services Coordinator in 1982.

During her time at Black Hills State, Doris taught library science courses and served as faculty advisor for the YWCA from 1953-1965. She also helped with the start up of the Library at Sinte Gleska at Pine Ridge in 1978. After retirement, she remained active in librarianship, cataloging and filing the BHSU picture file in the Leland Case Library as a volunteer.

Doris served as South Dakota's State Representative in the Mountain Plains Library Association from 1971-1973 and was State President of the South Dakota Library Association in 1968-1969.

Doris was included in the 1st edition of World Who's Who of Women in Education in 1978, was named South Dakota Librarian of the Year in 1982, Delta Kappa Gamma Woman of Achievement in 1983, received the Rebekah Degree of Chivalry in 1997, a special service award from BHSU in 1999, and the Delta Kappa Gamma International "Order of the Rose" award in 2005.

Doris was involved in many organizations throughout her life, including the American Association of University Women, Beta Sigma Phi, Delta Kappa Gamma, Friends of the Grace Balloch Memorial Library, Friends of the Leland D. Case Library, Northern Hills Retired Teachers, the Queen City Literacy Council, and the Rebekah Lodge of Belle Fourche and Spearfish.

Doris also volunteered at the High Plains Heritage Center, the Senior Citizen's Center, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and for many years was an active member of the Spearfish United Church of Christ, where she sang in the choir and served on several church boards. She became a member of Spearfish United Methodist Church in 2004 and was active in the United Methodist Women group.

Doris married Ronald O. Phillips in June 1958. Doris' mother made her home with Doris for many years, also living into her late 90s.

Doris loved to play bridge, read, and do needlepoint and counted cross stitch.

Doris is survived by her sister, Dorothy Collins; nephew, David (Bobbi) Collins, nephew, Richard (Brenda) Matthews, niece, Beverly (Joseph) Heitkamp, niece, Judy Matthews, niece Nancy Langevin; great nieces and nephews, Lynn Heitkamp, Jessi (Brad) Smith, Kayla Collins, Elizabeth Collins, Brianne Collins, Janice (Scott) Sakall, Jeffrey (Melina) Heitkamp; special friends Jim and Jan Wright; and several great-great nieces and nephews.

Doris is preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Phillips; parents, Maynard and Golda Alexander; brother, Harold Alexander, sister-in-law, Ila Alexander; brother-in-law, Chet Collins and niece Shirley Lauritzen.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2015 at the Spearfish United Methodist Church. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the church, followed by burial at Black Hills National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ronald O. and Doris M. Phillips Scholarship at Black Hills State University.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com