Colleen Phelan

Colleen McCarty Phelan, age 77, passed away Monday, January 3, 2011, at the Bishop Drumm Center in Johnston, Iowa, surrounded by her loving family. Colleen was born into an Irish-Catholic family on a farm north of Perry, Iowa, on August 1, 1933. She was the middle child, surrounded by four brothers. She attended St. Patrick's Catholic School in her hometown for 12 years. Upon graduation, she attended AIB in Des Moines, Iowa, for business courses. On June 7, 1952, she married John Phelan, who was a friend of her family. He was serving in the United States Army at the time of their wedding. They resided briefly in the state of Georgia and then returned to central Iowa in February 1953, so that her husband could operate his family's farm, north of Perry. They were blessed with nine children. Colleen was completely dedicated to her children during the next 50 years. She always promoted the importance of a good education. Every one of her children is a college graduate. Colleen was a devout Catholic her entire life and passed her strong faith on to her children. The memories of her constant loving presence, emotional support, guidance, and hard work, will always remain with her children as they raise their own families. She was a wonderful, selfless, kind and patient mother to each of her children. Her impact will go on for generations, as she now has 22 grandchildren, as well as one great-grandson. She is survived by her husband, John; seven daughters, Denise (John) Ostrem of Elgin, Ill., Karen (John) Reed of Jefferson City, Mona Phelan of Parker, Colo., Vicki (Ben) Biller of Leawood, Kan., Lori (Randy) Good of Ogden, Iowa, Jacquie Phelan and Shannon (Doug) Heinen of West Des Moines, Iowa; two sons, Mike (Lori) Phelan of West Des Moines, Iowa and Tim (Selene) Phelan of Clive, Iowa; 22 grandchildren, Katie and Kelly Ostrem, Nicholas Reed, Jennifer (Jeff) Billings, Lauren Feltault, Patrick (Markie) Feltault, Ryan, Amy, Sara and Abby Biller, Michael, Brian, Patrick and Elizabeth Good, Megan and Tyler Phelan, Alex, Isabella and Connor Phelan, Rachel, Ashley and Christine Heinen; and great-grandson, Evan Billings; three brothers, George and Joe (Diane) McCarty of Perry, Iowa, and Fr. Larry McCarty of Manson, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents, John J. and Lela (Hutzell) McCarty; and one brother, John E. McCarty. A funeral mass was celebrated at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Perry, Iowa, on Friday, January 7, 2011. Carris Family Funeral Home in Perry, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be directed to St Patrickís Catholic Church and the Alzheimerís Association.