Gertrude Duff Phelps (1968)

PHELPS, DUFF, HUDSON

Posted By: Treva Patterson (email)
Date: 12/9/2006 at 12:37:55

Winterset Madisonian
1968

WINTERSET RITES FOR MRS. R. L. PHELPS

The body of Mrs. Rees L. Phelps of Norman, Okla., was brought to Winterset Friday for burial in the family plot in the Winterset cemetery. Graveside services were held at the cemetery, conducted by the Rev. John E. Fink, pastor of the First United Presbyterian church here.

Mrs. Phelps' death had occurred at Norman March 19, at the age of 94 years. She was a member of a pioneer Winterset family. She was the former Gertrude May Duff, daughter of George and Sarah Jane Hudson Duff, and was born on a farm near Winterset May 24, 1873. Her father later engaged in the grocery business in Winterset.

She was graduated from Monmouth college at Monmouth, Ill., in 1895, and later earned a master's degree from Monmouth. She served as principal of the Winterset High school for 15 years, and was the first Madison county superintendent of schools.

She was married in 1910 to Rees L. Phelps. For 50 years they made their home in Steele, N. Dak., where he was an attorney. Several years ago they had moved to Norman, Okla., to be near their son, Elbridge D. Phelps, a member of the faculty of the college of law at the University of Oklahoma.

She was active in the Presbyterian churches of Winterset and Steele over a long period of years, serving as a Sunday school teacher, and in the women's groups, and was a president of the synodical and presbyterial societies. She was also a member of the Women's Christian Temperance union.

In addition to her husband and son, she is survived by three grandchildren.