LaNeta Milta Fish Phelps

LaNeta Milta Fish Phelps, age 97, passed away on Monday, Jan. 1, at the Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada.

LaNeta was born on April 20, 1920, in South Sioux City, Neb., to Milton E. and Jennie E. Andrews Fish. She attended Jefferson Elementary School and graduated from Nevada High School in 1938.

LaNeta’s first office job was stenographer for Joseph Welborn, building contractor. She left Nevada in December 1940 to work in the Federal Civil service in Washington, D.C. (two years in Immigration and Naturalization Service; four years in the Department of Agriculture at Beltsville, Md.).

On Feb. 11, 1942, LaNeta married Milton E. Phelps. To that union were born a son (stillborn) in March 1944 and a daughter, Janet Ellen, born July 3, 1946.

LaNeta worked temporarily at the Farm and Home Savings and Loan in Nevada. She then worked two years at the headquarters office of the Missouri National Guard in the American Legion Building, as stenographer for Captain Ron Pittenger, Adjutant to Commander Col. B.L. Coffman. It was during this time that Camp Clark was acquired for the Missouri National Guard after having been used for a prisoner of war facility during World War II. LaNeta then worked for the Missouri Division of Employment Security, Nevada, for 31 years before retiring in April of 1982.

LaNeta was an active member of the First Assembly of God Church, where for a number of years she taught the junior girls’ Sunday school class, directed children’s church, and served as counselor at the children’s and youth summer camps.

She loved to sing and was asked to perform solos for many church services, weddings and funerals. She and her sister, Kleetis, were also members of the Nevada Community Choir at one time. She also liked knitting, reading, camping and traveling (especially with family).

LaNeta was preceded in death by her parents, Milton E. Fish and Jennie E. Wirth; daughter, Janet E. Phelps-Corn; sister, Kleetis M. Wirth; and brother, Bob E. Wirth.

She is survived by her grandson, Andrew C. Corn; sister-in-law, Wynona Wirth; nieces, Gwen Lind and Stephanie Miller; great-niece, Bethany Eggenberger; and great-nephews, Shannon Hodges, Shawn Miller and Jared Lind.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Interment will follow in the Newton Burial Park, Nevada.

Memorials are suggested to www.teenchallengeusa.com or in care of Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

You may view obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.