Elijah Robert Richard Philippi

Elijah was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bruning on Easter in 2008 and confirmed in Faith in 2017. He was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in November 2019 during his junior year of high school. He courageously battled, choosing leg amputation and withstanding multiple rounds of chemotherapy at UNMC in Omaha. He finished his senior year and graduated in 2021 at Bruning-Davenport USD with his brother and classmates! He loved trying new sports including learning to golf, pole vault, bowl, play guitar, and he especially enjoyed playing baseball in the summers. Following graduation and between treatments, he worked at Reinke Manufacturing in Deshler and Bruning Grocery. He made many friends and cherished his relationships with them.

Elijah always had a need for speed and loved riding ATVs and his UTV from Make-A-Wish. Even as a little kid he loved anything with tires including, Hot Wheels cars, airplanes, trains, and farm vehicles. He was an expert on fast cars and ATVs. He supported the military and had once dreamed of joining. This dream only strengthened his bond with his grandfather Richard Ziehm who retired in 2006 and Uncle David Ziehm who currently serves in the Air Force. Elijah could talk about military aircraft for hours on end. He had such passion and skill for gaming, especially HALO, where he could be the hero and defend others in need. He wasn’t bad at Fortnite either!

Elijah, most of all, loved talking to people! As a child living with autism, he had difficulties early in life learning to connect with others, but he overcame that struggle and made it his strength. He spent many days driving around and stopping to talk to anyone, even if the conversations were not long. He would visit great-grandparents regularly to converse and share stories. At home, he routinely called friends and family members that did not live locally just to see how they were doing and tell them what he had going on.

Elijah had an old soul that truly valued the importance of human connection. He appreciated the support he had from his community. So many prayers and well wishes were sent his way and he was appreciative of them all. We cannot forget to mention the beautiful parade that was held in his honor where many fire trucks and locals drove by to make some noise for Elijah.

Lastly, Elijah was a lover of animals. He never met a dog he didn’t love but always loved the idea of owning an exotic pet. He enjoyed the companionship he had with the family dogs (Anna, and Bella), cat (Diamond), and his bearded dragon, Ricky.

We like to think that Elijah did not leave all of us behind but instead is making a special spot for all his family and friends to rejoice with him in the afterlife alongside his great-grandparents.

Those here today in waiting are his father and mother Ryne & Daina and his four brothers Dominic (Rylee), Brayden, Jackson, and Kristopher; his biological father Robert & Lidia Quinones; grandparents Kurt & Kathleen Philippi and Richard & Anne Ziehm; uncles & aunts Josef & Patricia Philippi and their children Kali & Willow, Paul & Megan Philippi and their children Brooklyn, Knox & Blake, and David & Andrea Ziehm and their children Preston & Dylan; and many friends, co-workers, and care-takers.

A Funeral Service for Elijah was held on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bruning, Nebraska. PMA Jim Germer presided over the Funeral Service. The recorded selections included “You Say,” “I Can Only Imagine,” “The Other Side,” and “Scars In Heaven.” “Amazing Grace” was also sang acapella by the congregation.

Pallbearers for the Funeral Service included all of Elijah’s classmates from the Class of 2021.

A Graveside Service was held in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery following the Funeral Service.

Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com

Memorials are suggested to the Nebraska Make-A-Wish Foundation in care of Elijah Philippi.