Daniel Phelps, 91

Daniel Lawrence Phelps, 91, Red Oak, passed away Friday, May 22, 2026, at Arlington Place. Daniel was born Sept. 5, 1934, in Hastings, the son of Jesse and Stella (Bell) Phelps. He was raised in the Hastings area and graduated from Malvern High School. Dan attended Iowa State University graduating in 1956.
He completed OCS School in Norfolk, Va., and served in the U.S. Navy in the Mediterranean and the Arabian Gulf. Dan was united in marriage to Barbara Shonka on June 25, 1956, in Council Bluffs. Upon his return from the service, they lived in Jefferson, until moving to Red Oak in 1962. Daniel farmed his entire life, raising cattle and row crops. He was a lifetime member of the Red Oak Elks Lodge, member of the Mills Montgomery County Cattleman’s Association and Iowa Cattleman’s Association; past board member of Houghton State Bank; and a former director at Farm Credit Services.
His hobbies included reading, crossword puzzles, Sudoku puzzles, word searches, sports, especially ISU, and golf. Dan was always very interested in the things the grandkids were doing and enjoyed spending time with them. He loved the Iowa landscape and cruising around the countryside. He took great joy in homemade ice cream and fireworks at the 4th of July, listening to Blues and Jazz music, and was a huge fan of Elvis and Dave Brubeck.
Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Barbara; and brothers, Charles Phelps and William Phelps.
Survivors include his children, Mike Phelps and wife Mary of Omaha, Neb.; Danny Phelps of Red Oak; Jimmy Phelps of Red Oak; and Sarah Phelps and husband Tony Roller of Omaha, Neb.; eight grandchildren, Josh Phelps and wife Kim of Swisher; Emily Breunig of Sun Prairie, Wis.; Meghan Sullivan and husband Nick of Omaha, Neb.; Sam Phelps and wife Tana of Omaha, Neb.; Danny Phelps and wife Brooke of Omaha, Neb.; Randon Phelps of Red Oak; Amber Phelps of Bellevue, Neb.; and Chloe Phelps and fiancé Mike Rath of Bellevue, Neb.; 23 great-grandchildren; sister, Marilyn Rock of Fairmont, Minn.; sister-in-law, Jeannie Alberts of Denison; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
A private family funeral will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, with burial in the Evergreen Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the FFA Alumni Association or the Red Oak Elks Lodge for scholarships and youth activities.
LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.