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Funeral services for Dr. Philip Salem "Doc" 98, will be at 10 AM, Thursday, January 13, 2022 at the Family Worship Center in Mobridge. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Pastor Paul Hathaway will  be officiating. Face masks requested.  Services will be followed by a light lunch.  Burial will be at the Glenham Cemetery.

Dr. Philip Michael Salem, Doc, of Selby, formerly of Glenham and Mobridge went home to be with his Lord and Saviour on Thursday January 6, 2022 at Walworth County Care Center in Selby, South Dakota at the age of 98. Philip was born on August 6th, 1923 in Harding County, (about 40 miles north of Belle Fouche) South Dakota to Mike Salem and Clara Louise (Heebner) Salem. He grew up working his father's farm and tending sheep before joining the armed forces in 1944, serving in France and Germany during WW Il. After leaving the Army he attended Black Hills State University and then South Dakota State University in Brookings. Upon his graduation, he taught Agriculture in Tyndall.

On January 1st, 1954, he married the love of his life, DorisMae Coles Salem in Timber Lake, South Dakota.

Philip Salem graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Veterinary Medicine in 1961. While attending the University,  he worked as a carpenter and took on odd jobs. Upon graduation, he took a position as veterinarian for the state of Idaho. Then moved his family back to Minnesota and finally to Mobridge, South Dakota in 1963 where he raised his 3 children and established the Salem Veterinary Clinic with his wife and partner, DorisMae. He extended credit to all and if someone could not pay, he quietly wrote the bill off. If someone came years later to settle their bill, he told them to donate the money to their church.

He semi-retired from Veterinary Medicine by purchasing and working a piece of land outside Glenham SD, raising Simmental cattle and a few Beefalo. He was a kind and generous man who always enjoyed growing a huge garden, fishing, singing hymns, Bible study, and spending time with family and friends.

Philip "Doc" Salem is survived by his three children; Roger Salem of Glenham, South Dakota, Ellen Salem of Denver, Colorado, Karen Salem and her husband Andrew Kaczrowski of Alexandria, Minnesota; his brother Stephen Salem and wife, Hilda of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Phil was preceded in death by his wife, DorisMae, his siblings, Dr. Harold Salem, Dr. Calvin Salem, Mary Louise Freed and his parents, Mike and Clara Salem. He is also preceded by and leaves behind a multitude of friends and relatives across the country and around the world.


Memorials can be made to Christian Worship Hour of Aberdeen SD or the charity of your choice. Doc believed that there were many worthy causes.