Eva Louise Phelps

Eva Louise Phelps age 85 of Anselmo, NE passed away Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at her home in Anselmo, NE. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 17, 2021, at 2:00 pm at the Govier Brothers Chapel in Broken Bow, NE with Pastor Del Unruh officiating. Burial will be in the Grandview Cemetery in Anselmo, NE. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. A visitation will be held on Friday, July 16, 2021, from Noon to 7:00 pm, with family greeting 6:00 to 7:00 pm at Govier Brothers Mortuary. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. An online guest book may be signed at www.govierbrothers.com. Eva Louise (Howard) Phelps was born on September 11, 1935, to Robert and Gladys (Hammond) Howard in Mullen Ne. Eva was the youngest of 5 children. Her siblings were Bruce, Robert (Bob), Betty and Mary. She spent her childhood in the Mullen and Seneca area. Her mother Gladys passed away when she was 6 months old. After a short time of living with her grandma Hammond, a family friend, Minnie Wells came into their home as a foster Mom and raised the children. Eva learned to ride horses at a very young age, tend chickens, garden, farm and ranch under Minnie’s teaching. In 1950 she married Hugh Thiel and they had three children Bill, Gladys, and Jim. They continued to make their home in the Mullen, Seneca area and later divorced. After she moved to Custer County, she met Leland Phelps and they married on December 10, 1958. To this union were added four children Ivan, Iris, Irvin, and Irma. They made their home in Anselmo Ne. Working together she and Leland raised all seven children. Teaching them hard work, faith, family, and integrity. In 1972 Eva went to work outside the home as a nursing assistant/CNA. She worked in several facilities throughout her career, predominately in Custer County. She continued to garden, raise chickens and farm after Leland passed away in April 1984. Eva was known throughout her life to be willing to help those in the nursing home with love and compassion until her retirement in 2008 at the age of 72. Her faith was a quiet faith. She didn’t talk about it much, she just lived it. She came to know Christ as her personal savior in the 1980s but had always attended the Open Bible Church with the children, helping in Sunday school and encouraging her children’s faith in the Lord. Eva would have a song, poem or saying for about every situation. Like right now I can hear her say to this gathering, “move over, there is always room for one more.” She loved having her family gather together and visit. She also loved to see us go home so she could rest. This is what happened the night she passed. We had all gathered around her, singing, talking, reading scripture, and letting her know how much she was loved. But after everyone left and she was able to quiet down in her bed she sighed a last sigh and went Home to Glory, safe in the arms of Jesus on July 14,2021 There were many family members that made that journey before her. Her Dad and Mom, Robert, and Gladys; her foster Mom, Minnie; siblings Bruce, Bob, Mary, and their spouses; husband Leland and his siblings, and spouses; Sons in Law Ray Sexton and LA Hayes; Daughters in Law Robin Thiel and Julie Phelps and great grandson Logan Maring. She is survived by so many more. Her sister Betty French and sister-in-law Cleo Phelps, Her Children William (Bill) Thiel, Gladys Sexton, Jim (Vicki) Thiel, Ivan (Liz) Phelps, Iris Hayes, Irvin Phelps and Irma (Mark) Eggleston. Grand Children, there are 27, Great Grand Children there are 39 with two more expected this year, and Great, Great Grandchildren there are two. As well as many nieces, nephews and friends and community members. Her life was well lived.