Elwood C. Phelps

Elwood Charles Phelps, age 84 of Redwood Falls, passed away Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 2, 2024 at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Redwood Falls. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the new St. Anne Catholic School in Wabasso. Stephens Funeral Service -Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Elwood Charles Phelps was born to Judith (Farness) and Charles Phelps on October 13, 1939 at Webster, South Dakota. He was raised on a farm near Bradley, SD until 1951 when he moved to Strandburg, SD on a stock farm. Elwood attended country school and then attended high school at Waverly and South Shore, SD. He furthered his education at South Dakota State University at Brookings, and received his degree in Agricultural Business. He served as the County Agent in Hamlin County until he was drafted in the Army where he served as a Military Policeman at Fort Carson, CO. In June 1963, Elwood married Lanna Marie Stricherz and they lived in Colorado for 6 months before returning to Watertown, SD where Elwood was hired at 1^st Citizens National Bank as a farm loan officer. Elwood ran the winter Farm Show in Watertown for 5 years as a Jaycee member. In 1970, he was transferred to NorWest Bank (now known as Minnwest Bank) in Redwood Falls, where he held several positions including farm loan officer and Vice President. He retired in 2003. Elwood was an officer and President of the Minnesota Inventor’s Congress in Redwood Falls for many years, and was also an officer of the Hall of Fame. Elwood and Lanna made their home on Pleasant Street in Redwood Falls for over 20 years before making their home on a little piece of heaven in the country for another 20 years. They eventually settled in Redwood Falls again. Elwood was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Redwood Falls. Elwood loved spending time with his kids and grandchildren; they brought him so much joy. He had many hobbies – he remodeled every home they lived in, built garages, and also did lots of landscaping. In 2004, he joined the Redwood Area Community Center, and he exercised every week day since. He made many good friends there and solved many world problems.

Elwood is survived by his wife, Lanna; children: Suzanne (Mike) Pierazek, Joel (Bernette) Phelps, Kathy (Kevin) Heiling, Mike (Jill) Phelps, Dan (Bernice) Phelps, Mary (Patrick) Kamolz, and Tony (Michelle) Phelps; 20 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Wendell, sister Janice, 2 granddaughters, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.