Don F. Phelps

Don Phelps, 87 of Loup City, NE died Friday, March 27, 2015 at his home in Loup City.  Cremation has been held.  A Celebration of Life service will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Loup City with Pastor Russell Barelmann officiating.  Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31 at the church. Burial will be at the Evergreen Cemetery with military honors by the Loup City American Legion Post #48.  Memorials are suggested to Sherman County Historical Society or donor’s choice.

Don Fredrick Phelps was born September 30, 1927 in Holdrege, NE to John L. and Frances (Moline) Phelps.  He lived on a farm east of Holdrege until 1935 when the family moved into town.   In 1945 the family moved to Loup City and Don graduated from Loup City High School in 1946. He joined the Army in 1946 and served until 1948.  He came back to Loup City and worked at Elsner Jewelry.  He married Virginia Ann Lorentz on November 20, 1951.  In 1957 he and his family moved to Long Beach, CA and worked for Consolidated Edison Company.  In 1961 they moved back to Loup City.  They owned and operated Lorentz Clothing until 1975.  In 1976 he opened Phelps Jewelry and operated it until the time of his death.  He was a 62 year member of the First Presbyterian Church where he also served as a Trustee and Elder.  He was also a member of the A.F. and A.M. Porter Lodge #106 in Loup City; Loup City American Legion Post #48; Loup City VFW Burrows Post #106 and served on the Board of Commissioners for the Loup City Housing Authority for 18 years.

He is survived by his wife Virginia “Ginge” Phelps of Loup City; daughters, Frances and husband, Robert Kaslon of Burwell, NE and Merrilee and husband, Thomas Lynch of Wichita, KS; four grandchildren; six great grandchildren and one sister, Barbara Lichty of San Luis Obispo, CA.  He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Virginia Martin.