Della Crock-Phelps

Della Kay Crock Phelps devoted her life to faith and family. She died on March 10 of cancer in her farm home outside of Mechanicsville. She was 56 years old. Della was born on February 18, 1948, in Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa, the second child of Rev. Clyde and Genevieve (Peterson) Sparks. Her parents served in the United Methodist Church and raised their family in Missouri and Iowa. Della's father and Dr. C.H. Crandall baptized Della as a Christian on September 23, 1956, in a pond in Stiles, Iowa. Della graduated from Ventura High School in 1966 and from Mason City School of Cosmetology in 1967. She married James Francis Crock on May 11, 1968, and they made their home together on their Mechanicsville farm. Della and Jim were partners in life and worked side by side on the farm, where Della raised hogs and lambs and enjoyed working in the fields. Della and Jim raised five children - Barb, Joan, Lee, Ryan and Joell - and together they loved attending their children's ball games, concerts, plays and livestock shows. Della enjoyed sharing her home with family and friends. She had a gift for making everyone feel welcome and for including each person in a special way. She adored her grandchildren and spent time with each one, baking cookies, playing games and pushing the swing. Della had many special ways of sharing herself, including quilting and handwork, making pie crust and bringing family members together for picnics in the timber and holiday celebrations. She loved watching football games, attending the Iowa State Fair, riding through the timber with Jim, reflecting on her daily scripture readings, shopping with her girls, spending fall days in the fields driving the grain cart and sharing daily visits with her grandchildren. Della was active as a participant and leader in church and community activities. She was a member of Saint Mary's Catholic Church, where she served as a lector, communion minister, Sunday School teacher, music minister, Bible School leader, member and president of Saint Mary's Guild, and a participant and leader for Christian Experience Weekend retreats. She served as a Campfire Leader, belonged to TTF Women's Club and Music Boosters. Della and Jim shared many community activities together and were active in 4-H. Della was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, James Francis Crock. She is survived by her five children, five grandchildren and their families - Barbara Crock and Michelle Scheidt, Joan and Drew Garner, Austin, Rebecca and James, Lee and Lori Crock, Lindsay and Leah, Ryan Crock, Joell Sparks; parents, Clyde and Genevieve Sparks; sister Glenna Bents and family, brother Dan Sparks and family, sister Opal Hibbs and family; her husband Doug Phelps and his children Thea O'Grady and Jeff Phelps and their families; in-laws Francis and Bessie Crock, Jeanette Bagley and family, Duane Crock and family. Mass of Christian Burial, 10:30 a.m., Saturday, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Mechanicsville, by the Reverend Thomas Doyle. Friends may call from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday at Morgan Funeral and Cremation Choices, Mount Vernon Chapel, where the Christian Wake Service and Rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m. Burial Rose Hill Cemetery, Mechanicsville. Memorials for Della Kay Crock Phelps, may be forwarded to 1331 200th Ave., Mechanicsville, Iowa, 52306. On-line condolences: www.morganfuneralchoices.com.