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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Lois and Charlie Phelps reflect on 67 years of marriage
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
On September 27, 1957, at the Rubio Friends Church in Rubio, Iowa two people said, “I do” and on September 27, 2024, this couple celebrated their sixty-seventh anniversary with a date night dinner at Cheddar’s in Iowa City.
Charlie and Lois Phelps moved to Winfield on a very hot August day in 1972 after Charlie had accepted a job with Schmit Construction here. They started their married life in Washington, then lived in Brighton, and Fairfield before settling in Winfield.
While Charlie pursued a career in construction, Lois continued in a position she had worked in since her high graduation from Brighton in 1955.
“Right out of high school, I worked as a school secretary at the Wahington High School, then as secretary in the Brighton Elementary School, and then Fairfield Lincoln Elementary School, then at the Winfield High School for 27 years before retiring in 2001,” she said.
Retirement for Lois meant going from a five-day week to a part-time job at the Winfield Beacon where she worked another 13 years.
During this time, Charlie continued to pursue a career in construction, becoming a master at his craft. In 2001, Charlie started his own construction company, Charlie’s Woodshop. A van with his logo on the side can still be seen at various places around town where Charlie is using his skills to improve someone’s property. Their home is also a testament to Charlie’s work. His “homework” includes an addition and remodeling of their kitchen and a “she shed” he built for Lois.
Charlies was born in at Mercy Hospital in Oskaloosa to Charles Arlo and Bertha Christine Phelps. He had twin sisters, Coleen Havel, deceased, and Corinne Phelps, who lives at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington. Charlie went to country school before attending and graduating from Washington High School in 1955. Following his graduation, he worked for his dad. Charlie said he held several positions, went to numerous places and, “did whatever I was told to do.”
Lois was born in 1938 in Ackey, Iowa. Her parents were Joe and Ann Etzen who also lived in Winfield, her Dad for five years and her mom for eight before their deaths. She has three sisters, Mille Robinson, who lives in Oregon, Phyllis Scheeler and Pat Bryon of Washingtonian. During her junior high and high school years, she lived at Lake Darling where her father was a conservation officer there. She attended Green Vale country school and graduated from Brighton High School in 1955. They met at a KC dance in Washington.
Lois explained, “Because both of us went to Washington County country schools, for 8th grade graduation we were required to go to Washington Methodist Church. We didn’t know until after we met, that we had graduated from 8th grade together.”
They are the parents of two, son Terry Phelps (Barb) and daughter Christine (Allen) Peek. The Phelps are blessed with an abundance of grand and great-grandchildren with two more on the way.
Lois lists her favorite hobbies which are gardening, raising flowers, reading and listening to music.
“But most of all we enjoy our kids, grandkids and great, great-grandkids!!”
Lois said one thing on her bucket list is, “Live to be 100.” The people she most admired were her parents.
Lois and Charlie’s advice for today’s youth: “Attend church, work hard, be honest and respectful and you will have a happy life.”
Charlie added, “Get a job and do what is required, plus a little more.”
Because he has not officially retired, Charlie has not planned what he will do when he does retire.
“I haven’t reached that point yet,” he said. However, he did mention that he enjoys working in his shop.
Charlie said his dad is the person he admired most.
“Someone that wants to know all about your private business,” is his pet peeve.”
If he had the power to change one thing, he answered, “Stay on standard time!”
Both Lois and Charlie are active members of Winfield’s Open Bible Church. Lois serves as church pianist, teaches Sunday School and attends the ladies’ church meetings. Charlie taught Sunday School for over 40 years and is a church elder and treasurer.
Charlie advises people to “Keep your shoulder to the wheel and when you get my age (88), you will benefit from it.”
Both agreed that “Winfield is a wonderful town! A great place to live and raise a family. You can meet a lot of people that you can call friends.”
It has been a pleasure getting to know this couple a little better. We wish them many more years of wedded bliss! A great example for all married, or to be married, couples.
