Joan K. Phelps

Joan K. Phelps ROCKFORD - Joan K. Phelps died July 16, 2010, after a brief illness. She was born Aug. 18, 1926, to Lawrence N. and Blanche R. Justen in Fond du Lac, Wis., where she graduated from Fond du Lac High School and then attended Marquette University. She married her high school sweetheart, Owen C. Phelps, on Aug. 17, 1946, and they had 10 children. She was employed by the U.S. Postal Service, North Central Associated Publishers, Rockford Journal and Observer. She was a member of St. Peter Cathedral Parish for more than 47 years, serving on many committees at both the Cathedral and St. Peter School. She was a Eucharist minister and Catholic Woman of the Year in 1998. She was also a member of and Eucharistic minister at St. Anthony Parish in Lac du Flambeau, Wis., where she enjoyed spending summers at Poupart Lake for more than 50 years. She is survived by nine children, Owen (Jane) of Durand, Ann (Wayne) Rosauer of Dysart, Iowa, Mike (Teresa) of Wichita, Kan., Jody (Greg) Yagle, Jane (George) Ratzlaff, John (Gina), Pat (Kim), Susan (Tim) Armellani and Megan (Jarrett) Johnson, all of Rockford; and son-in-law James Rose of Rockford. Also by grandchildren, Kristin (Nic) Guehlstorf, Erik (Robin), Shannon (Lawrence) Hadley, Erin (Shawn) McLevige and Owen Jason, Shannon (Luke) Symonds, Jim (Nell), John (Katie), Mike (Maggie), Dan (Amanda), Bill and Matt Rose, Ryan (Shannon) and Matt (Jill) Rosauer, Renae (Steve) Masbruch, Mary (Dan) Ibeling and Kelsey Rosauer, Brian Yagle and Katie (Eric) Bryant, Jessica (Kris) Rose, Justen (Anne), Elizabeth, Meghan and Gina Phelps, Tim (Theresa), Tom (Adele), Kevin and Heidi Ratzlaff, Katelin, Sarah, Lauryn and Tyler Phelps, Sean, Morgan and Danielle Phelps, Jake Armellani, Rachel, Ryan, Dylan, Elaina and Nathan Johnson; and stepgrandchild, Melissa Ratzlaff; 36 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Betty Justen of Mosinee, Wis., and Marilyn Phelps of Fond du Lac; special cousins, Bill and Sandy Mathies of Rothschild, Wis.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by husband, Owen; daughter, Mary Rose; brother, Larry Justen; and great-granddaughter Grace Rosauer. Special thanks to all her friends at Siena, Heartland Hospice and Dr. Richard Deming. Visitation from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, in Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Rockton Chapel, beginning with the rosary. Visitation continues on Wed. at church from 9:30 until time of Mass Wednesday, Aug. 4, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Peter Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Joan's favorite charities: St. Peter Cathedral, St. Peter School, Mary Rose Children's Bazaar c/o St. Peter, Boylan Catholic High School's Owen C. Phelps Sr. and Mary Phelps Rose Memorial Fund, Children's Tumor Foundation, or to the family for other memorials.