Philip Teigen Obituary

It is with much sadness to announce the passing of Philip Joseph Teigen, on Monday, March 16th, 2026, due to complications with congestive heart failure. He was discovered unresponsive while in Strength/Cardio Rehab at Orchard Park Healthcare in Greenwood Village, Colorado on Sunday March 15th, just after 11:30pm. Attempts were made to revive him; however, he was pronounced deceased just after midnight. 

Philip was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 16th, 1940. Adopted a short time later by Obert C. and Ople J. Teigen. He grew up in Devils Lake, ND, graduated a Devils Lake HS, Satan in 1958, playing hockey and the stand-up bass in band. He attended the University of North Dakota, receiving his bachelor’s degree in science in 1961, and his law degree in 1964. He met Susan Lundberg during his time at UND Law School and married her before graduating. Soon after graduation, he was sworn in to the ND BAR Association by his father who was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Dakota. (Obert C. Teigen, Justice of the ND Supreme Court from 1959 – 1974, Chief Justice from 1961-1974) 

Out of law school, Phil initially worked for Wheeler Law Firm in Bismark and went into the military shortly after. He entered the U.S. Air Force as an Officer and held the position as JAG from 1965 – 1968 at Shepard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. From there he moved his young family, wife Susan, daughter Deborah and son John to Washington DC, working for ND Representative Thomas Kleppe as a Legislative Assistant. He then moved his family to Aurora, Colorado in 1972, working as Legal Counsel for Frontier Airlines. Soon after, the Teigen’s moved to El Toro, California in 1973, where he was introduced into the home building side of corporate law, but realized Aurora Colorado was home and moved his family back after just one year in California. 

Back in Colorado, Phil started working as Legal Counsel for Wood Brother’s Homes in 1974 and continued with them for several years until they were acquired by MDC Homes. He stayed there for the next few years, then switched out of the home building industry to be Chief Legal Counsel for Big O Tires. And finally, Dad finished out his law career with Cherry Creek Mortgage in the position of Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel. He retired in 2013; however, he continued to assist Cherry Creek Mortgage several years later as needed, working under his own, Philip Teigen Law, LLC. 

Phil loved Colorado and considered it his home, never leaving after 1974. He enjoyed staying in touch with his family and friends, talking about war, debating politics, loved the mountains and skiing (before 1983), golfing, ALL Colorado professional sports, music, pepperoni pizza, plain cheese hamburgers and chocolate chips! He is a father, bonus father, grandfather and bonus grandfather survived by his son, John (Carolyn) Teigen, Grady Holder – bonus son, Lauren (Joseph) Robbins – granddaughter, Grace (Clayton) Eagle – granddaughter, Samantha Teigen – granddaughter, Jessica Teigen – granddaughter, Amanda (Brice) Berlute-Shea – bonus granddaughter and Lindsay Lavely – bonus granddaughter. He is also preceded in death by his daughter Deborah Ellingson, Kerry Wagner – bonus son, and Kelly (Dan) Hays – bonus daughter. He also is survived by his former wives/partner; Susan Helgeland, Beverly Teigen and his partner/lady friend Carol Childs.