Tracy LeRoy Phelps
Monday, June 25, 1928
Date of Death:
Monday, May 21, 2012
Age:
83 years old
Visitation
Date: Thursday May 24, 2012
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Friday May 25, 2012
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church [ view map ]
Funeral Service
Date: Friday May 25, 2012
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Grandview Memorial Gardens [ view map ]
Monday, June 25, 1928
Date of Death:
Monday, May 21, 2012
Age:
83 years old
Monday, June 25, 1928
Date of Death:
Monday, May 21, 2012
Age:
83 years old
Tracy LeRoy Phelps
Tracy LeRoy Phelps passed peacefully into eternal rest on Monday, May 21, 2012 surrounded by his family and friends. Born on June 25, 1928 in Mantorville, Minnesota to Ruth and Raymond Phelps, he was the eldest of three children. Growing up in the Rochester area, he attended junior high in Pine Island and graduated from Rochester High School in 1946.
While attending a dance at the Armory, he spotted Annetta Mae Vicker and remarked “this is the girl for me”. Tracy and Annetta, true soul mates, were married September 21st 1946 and together raised their family of five children. Tracy’s business career was in sales, working as Sales Manager for Marigold Foods in Rochester where he had many friends and enjoyed the respect of the business community. Many of his after-work hours were spent in his garden where he often worked on his hands and knees, relishing the feel of the good earth between his fingers. The produce and especially his prized tomatoes were always widely shared among friends and family,
Tracy was a longtime member of the Rochester Exchange Club, working tirelessly for over 40 years raising awareness and money for worthy projects to help make his community a better place. He and the family were charter members of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Rochester where he took great pleasure in his work for many years as an usher, greeting fellow members and guests while inviting them into worship.
He was a great dancer, especially enjoying “old time” music, and loved to play cards, doing so even at the Samaritan Bethany Home where he spent the last years of his life. He was also an avid golfer, often playing in several different leagues during the golf season. His greatest passion, though, was fishing, always eagerly looking forward to the next trip to Northern Minnesota or Canada.
Tracy was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Ruth and sister Joan McDonald. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Annetta; daughter Barbara & John Tornes of Deer River, MN, son Gordon & Beth of Bothell, WA, son Mark & Diane of Rochester, daughter Mary of St. Paul, and son James & Beth of St. Charles, MO; and brother Ronald of Rochester. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Tracy, a man of modest words who spoke most eloquently with his actions, is affectionately remembered by his family and his many friends. Viewing will be in the River Park Chapel at the Macken Funeral Home in Rochester from 5:00pm – 8:00pm on Thursday, May 24, 2012 and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Funeral services will be at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Rochester at 11:00am on Friday, May 25, 2012 with Pastor Karna Hagen officiating. Burial will be held at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester. The family requests that memorials be directed to the Samaritan Bethany Home on 8th and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.
Macken Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Condolences
The family of Tracy LeRoy Phelps has received the following condolences.
Jim and family,
We are sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. Take care, Nick and Jackie
Annetta&family,
My thoughts &prayers go out to you,I always enjoyed talking with Tracy and spending xmas with you guys at your home. I know how hard it is to lose a loved one and I know Colleen &Tracy are playing cards and reminicing.God bless You!
Though it's been many years since we've seen Tracy (and Annetta), we fondly remember the times we spent with Tracy and members of his family fishing in the 1970s and eating dinner (especially the tomatoes) at the Phelps house with Dutch & Mary. Tracy's engaging smile and outgoing personality will be in our hearts forever. -- Marie & Steve DeVries, Mt. Vernon, IA
To the Phelps' Family:
One Great man - I appreciate everything your Husband and father did for me! Best wishes to you all! Phil :)
Annetta and family,
I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. I worked with Tracy years ago at Marigold in Rochester, and so did my dad, Bob Anderson. Tracy was always so cheerful and pleasant to work with. He was also a great friend to my dad. I know he will be greatly missed.
Deb Anderson
Mary and Family: My thoughts are with you at this very sad time. I wish I had been able to meet your Dad, but I have been told by so many how special a man that he was. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Patti Kleven
Jimmy,
I am sorry to hear about your father and I would like to extend my condolences to you and your family.
Take care buddy
Bill Canfield
Annetta, Barbara, Gordon, Mark, Mary and James,
I was saddened to read about the passing of Tracy. I hope that he was healthy until the end. He was certainly a nice man and will be missed by many. We have so many wonderful memories of family get togethers.
I hope that you all are well, it has been a very long time since I have seen any of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Take good care.
Love,
Mary Jo
Annette ---I am so sorry about your great loss. I miss seeing you at Samaritan Bethany Arbor Terrace where Lois was just down the hall from you. She died April 15 . I miss her very much but she was ready to go and was praying for it. Tracy was such an elegant gentleman and I always enjoyed talking with him. He and Lois are both with the Lord now enjoying new and healthy bodies. ( A sympathy card I received said they are now dancing with the angls.) You are in my prayers Annetta. Blessings and strength to you at shis most difficult time. You have been a caring, loving and thoughtful wife.
John Bakke
Annetta,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. I used to be your neighbors a few years back. Tracy and you were wonderful neighbors to have. He sure did have a great smile:) He will be deeply missed.
Sincerely,
Greta Balas
Mary and Family, We are so sorry to hear of the loss to your family. He will surely be missed by many loving family members and friends. Hugs to you and know that we're thinking and praying for you and your family, and hoping that fond memories will fill your hearts.
Annetta and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Tracy's death. I will never forget his contagious smile. You were lucky to have so many happy years of marriage with Tracy.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Ann Jensen
Mary and family - I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. What a wonderful obituary was written. I wish I would have met him - he sounds like a wonderful man. I know he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Mary and family - I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. What a wonderful obituary was written. I wish I would have met him - he sounds like a wonderful man. I know he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
To Jim, Annetta and the entire Phelps family, my sincere sympathies on the passing of Tracy. He was a wonderful guy and will be missed greatly.
Barb and family,
Sorry to hear about your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you as you share your memories of him and the many ways he touched your lives. These memories will always keep him close in your hearts. Sending our sincere sympathy. Love Jim and Vickie
Dear Mary & family,
Wishing you peace at this difficult time. May you find consolation in knowing he is now with our Heavenly Father. I know what he meant to you Mary...and my heart aches for you. There's just something special about our Dads!!!
God Bless you all,
Barb Hegenes
Jim and Beth So sorry to hear about your dad. MY prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Betty
So sorry to hear of the passing of Tracy, my memories of him are great.
I visited their home with Barb and Tracy took us out dancing in a town with wooden sidewalks. We also had great food at their home. The biggest thing in my memory bank is his smiling face and his great tomatoes. He was an always happy great guy.
Mary and family, my heart goes out to you at your loss. Mary, I know how you loved your father and how special he was to you. You were certainly blessed to have him for 83 years but it's never long enough. Rest in the knowledge that you'll see him again and cherish your wonderful memories.
Judy
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Jimmy. God Bless.
Annetta and families...............
It is with a heavy heart that I extend my sympathy to all of you. I have to tell you over the years how I enjoyed
getting and giving birthday cards as we shared the same birthday. Hugs and prayers to you all in the loss of a great
man.
Betty