Rose Eleanor Phelps, 101, of Mason City, passed away peacefully under the care of St. Croix Hospice on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Good Shepherd in Mason City. Arrangements are with Fullerton Funeral Home. A private family graveside service and inurnment will be held at a later date at the Rockwell Cemetery in Rockwell, IA.
Rose was born on February 15, 1923 in Portland, IA to Alva and Julia (White) Terpeney. She graduated from Mason City High School in 1940. On October 5, 1940 she was united in marriage to Orville Stoltenberg and the couple had 50 wonderful years together until his passing in 1990. Rose was then united in marriage to Wilbur Phelps in October of 1993 until his passing in 1996.
Rose spent most of her life as a homemaker caring for her five children. She also made wedding cakes, did upholstery work and took additional training at NIACC to become a home health aide. Rose volunteered for hospice for many years and was recognized as the Iowa Volunteer of the Year. She was very proud of her volunteer work and passionate about helping others.
In her free time, she enjoyed quilting, all kinds of sewing and crossword puzzles. She did a lot of gardening and canning. Rose was a member of the Hanford Community Church, Hanford Community Country Club and of the Birthday Club. She liked going for coffee with the gals she worked with.
She is survived by her son, Randy (Margie) Stoltenberg of Mason City and daughter, Julie Stoltenberg of Wichita, KS; grandchildren: Chrissy (Carl) Fair, Curtis (Jenny) Stoltenberg, Randy Timmons, Sarah Martin, Jamie Vierkant and Susan Vierkant; great-grandchildren: Haley Vega, Colin Stoltenberg and Cora Stoltenberg.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Orville and second husband, Wilbur; parents; daughter, Dixie Stoltenberg; sons, Craig Stoltenberg and David Stoltenberg; brother, Charles Terpeney and daughter-in-law, Cherlyn Stoltenberg and many other family members and friends.
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