Sherrill Phelps

SHERRILL ELAINE NELSON PHELPS

Fairfield

Sherrill Elaine Nelson Phelps, 72, of Fairfield, died Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016, surrounded by love.

Sherrill married Jim Parkison, and from that marriage a daughter, Lori Parkison Striegel, and son, Jeffrey Parkison, were born. She later married D. Blake Phelps Jr., and they laughed and loved together through 39 years of marriage.

Sherrill was born in Clarinda, Iowa, on Oct. 30, 1944, sharing the womb with her twin brother, Merrill Duane, coming home to older brothers, Darwin and Gary. Her brothers were very important to her, and the Nelson home was a strong unit of love. She graduated from high school in 1963 and attended Iowa State as well as Iowa Western Community College.

In 1971, she moved to Fairfield with two small children in tow to begin her new life. She was mom and dad rolled into one. She gave of herself continually to her family, her church and her community. She had a great love for painting, sewing, gardening and cooking fabulous meals and no one has ever made better chicken and noodles!!

Sherrill traveled extensively with Blake. They both enjoyed card clubs and dinner clubs over the years and were avid bridge players. Growing up in the Nelson home, you had to know how to play bridge! Sherrill loved nothing more than to be outdoors; fishing was her passion. The Boundary Waters called her name for many years, and she spent many summers vacationing with family in their cabin oasis. This was her heaven!

Left behind to honor her memory are Lori and husband Eric and children, Samantha and Kevin; and Jeff and wife Theresa and children, Carly and Cortney, all of Swisher; brothers, Gary (Evelyn) Nelson of Texas and Merrill (Barbara) Nelson of Minnesota; sister-in-law, Georgia Nelson of Iowa; special cousins, Roberta (Marvin) Reents and Jeanette Weakly, both of Iowa; her wonderful 101-year-old aunt, Helen Hess of Alabama; a special sister-friend, Anne Hansen Flyvholm (Mogens) of Denmark; and many other treasured relatives.

Sherrill was preceded in death by her husband, Blake Phelps; her parents, Clifford and Maxine Nelson; and brother, Darwin Nelson.

We would like to thank the wonderful staff at Meadowview Memory Care Village in Cedar Rapids for opening their arms with love and care for mom as she progressed through the stages of dementia. A heartfelt thank-you, as well, to Care Initiatives Hospice for guiding us, loving mom, and caring for her as their own. Lastly, thank you to Dr. Vincent Taeger and his wonderful nurses, Natalie and Babs, who gave their time freely in caring for mom and our family even though remotely.

A visitation for Sherrill will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. Funeral services celebrating Sherrill's life will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, at First Presbyterian Church, Fairfield, with Pastor Joseph Phipps officiating. After the service, there will be a luncheon; burial will follow in Vale Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Fairfield; Care Initiatives Hospice or Meadowview Memory Care Village.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.behnerfh.com.