of Mountain Home, AR

November 14, 1950 - May 11, 2025

Steven Victor Philipsen passed away peacefully in the ICU at Baxter Health Sunday, May 11th, 2025 following a long and courageous battle with kidney disease. He was 74 years old.

Steve was born on November 14, 1950 in Des Moines, Iowa to Charlene Keman and Don Ratliff. He was later adopted and lovingly raised by Ivan Philipsen, who played a central role in Steve's life. As a boy, Steve shared a room with his brother, Jim, and the two of them began working on cars as teenagers, planting the seeds of a lifelong passion.

Steve was, without question, the car guy. Racing, wrenching, restoring, if it had wheels, he understood it. He owned and operated Collector Motor Sports and was the kind of man you could bring any car question to and always walk away with the right answer.

He married the love of his life, Kay, on June 5, 1970 and together they built a life full of devotion and drive. In February 1973, they welcomed twins, Rob and Kathy. Steve worked tirelessly to give his family a good life, spending long weeks on the road and teaching young adults at night at Tech, where he graduated from in 1969. He was recognized with several awards for being an honorable and impactful educator.

Steve was fearless and bullheaded, in all the ways that made him dependable and strong. He was a businessman, a protector and a man of routine and reverence. He prayed before dinner and took pride in feeding his family as the grill master during warm summer evenings.

In retirement, Steve and Kay fell in love with motorcycles. They could often be seen riding the winding roads of Highway 14 North near their home in Yellville, Arkansas. Their home and garden were a reflection of their shared spirit, bursting with flowers, vegetables and joy. They grew peppers, tomatoes, corn, irises, sunflowers, pumpkins and watermelons, each season adding new color to their life together.

Steve is survived by his daughter, Kathryn Kay Philipsen of the home; grandchildren, Moss "Sydney" (Devon) Smith, Morgan (Kerion) Ahrens and Tiffany (Joe) Roenfeldt and great-grandchildren, Annabelle, Emmaline, Gwendolyn and Matthew Roenfeldt, as well as Nova, Amelia and Remi Ahrens. He is also survived by his brother, Jim Philipsen; his nieces, Jessica (Ron) Eshelman and Jamie Philipsen; nephews, Jimmy Philipsen, Tyler Burk, Joseph and Logan Eshelman and many other extended family members and friends who loved him deeply.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Kay Lynn Philipsen, who passed shortly before Steve, a testament to their unbreakable bond and his son, Steven "Rob" Philipsen.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for memorials to be made to the St. Joseph's Indian School.

A gathering of family and friends to honor Steves life will be held at the Philipsen family home May 15th and 17th, 2025 from 1 pm to 4 pm. Guests are welcome to come and go throughout these times as we share memories and celebrate his life together.

Arrangements are in the care of Roller-Burns funeral home in Yellville, Arkansas.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Burns Funeral Home
725 North Panther Ave.
Yellville, AR  72687
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com