Lillian Phelps

Monday, December 3, 2018

Lillian June Phelps

Aug. 28, 1926 - Dec. 2, 2018

TRENTON, Neb. — Lillian June Phelps, the eldest daughter of Marjorie M. (Guile) and Milo C. Phelps, was born Aug. 28, 1926, in the back bedroom of her grandparent’s house on the farm. The bedroom was originally part of a homesteaders cabin, built with cement back walls and floor in the bank of a small hill. The cracks were repaired, plastered and painted over and is still there – although used as a storeroom. Lillian passed away on Dec. 2, 2018, at the age of 92 at El Dorado Manor in Trenton.

Lillian attended school in Trenton, riding to school in a converted town car which had been made into a school bus. The sides on the back rent had large arm rests on which a covered board was laid. Two small children rode on that while three or four older ones sat on the back seat and two others rode in the front seat with the driver.

Lillian graduated as valedictorian from Trenton High School in 1944 with a Normal Training Certificate. This enabled her to teach in the country schools in the county, where she taught the next seven years, renewing her qualifications by attending summer school in McCook and Kearney.

In 1951, she was asked by two members of the Co-op Board to become the bookkeeper as the current bookkeeper was called into the service. She accepted the job and remained with the Trenton Farmers Co-op for 39 years. After retiring, she kept busy with the treasurer jobs at the Methodist Church and Historical Society.

Lillian spent the majority of her life living on the farm in the house that her grandparents built, until her health forced her to move to El Dorado Manor. She loved flowers and kept up a flower garden, saving a plant (butter and eggs) that her Grandmother Phelps had brought to the homestead from their home in Iowa.

Lillian was preceded in death by her father and mother; and sister, Mable Dewey.

She is survived by numerous family and friends.

Memorials may be given in her name to the Trenton First United Methodist Church or Hitchcock County Historical Society.

Visitation is today until 7 p.m., at Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel in Trenton.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, 1:30 p.m., at the Trenton First United Methodist Church with Pastor Alisa Parde officiating. Burial will follow at the Trenton Cemetery.

Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel of Trenton is entrusted with arrangements.