Home > United States of America > Iowa > Cherokee County > Afton Cemetery > Emma Louise Leeper Phelan

Emma Louise Leeper Phelan

Birth	:	30 Jul 1926 Newton, Jasper County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	24 Apr 2018 Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA
Burial	:	Afton Cemetery, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.8064003, -95.4863968
Description	:	Emma Lou was born in Newton, Iowa, on July 30, 1926, to James and Helen (Roth) Leeper. She was the sixth of eight children, seven of whom survived to adulthood. The family lived in the Brooklyn, Iowa, area, where Emma Lou attended the local schools. Immediately after high school graduation, Emma Lou moved to San Diego to join other family members there and to help with the war effort. As soon as she turned 18, Emma Lou was hired by Ryan Aircraft and became a real-life Rosie the Riveter. While working at Ryan, she met... Read More	Emma Lou was born in Newton, Iowa, on July 30, 1926, to James and Helen (Roth) Leeper. She was the sixth of eight children, seven of whom survived to adulthood. The family lived in the Brooklyn, Iowa, area, where Emma Lou attended the local schools. Immediately after high school graduation, Emma Lou moved to San Diego to join other family members there and to help with the war effort. As soon as she turned 18, Emma Lou was hired by Ryan Aircraft and became a real-life Rosie the Riveter. While working at Ryan, she met her future husband, Robert W. Phelan, also from Iowa. After the war ended, they married and returned to Bob’s hometown of Cherokee. While Bob worked at various local automobile dealerships, Emma Lou concentrated on raising their five children, often sewing their clothes and fixing wonderful meals. Throughout her life, Emma Lou participated in volunteer community activities as time allowed. While her children were young, she served as a Cub Scout leader, was a CCD instructor at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and worked with the Catholic Daughters of America. Later in life, she participated in Peace Links, volunteered at the Cherokee Archives, quilted with the Cherokee Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, and delivered Meals on Wheels. She also took paid positions as a home health aide and as an assistant librarian at the Cherokee Public Library. Emma Lou enjoyed golfing and walking with friends. She also began taking piano lessons at age 69 and played regularly. Emma Lou was a busy, involved resident of Cherokee for almost 70 years, from 1945 to 2015. For the last three years of her life, Emma Lou received wonderful care from the staff at the Gardens (Episcopal Church Homes) in St. Paul, as well as devoted attention and companionship from her daughter Laura and daughter-in-law Kris. Throughout her life, Emma Lou provided a wonderful example of resilience, strength, and loving service to others. Her family was always her highest priority, and they are grateful for her lifelong devotion. She was and will continue to be a well-loved inspiration. Emma Lou is survived by her five children: Patrick (Donna) of Tucson, Arizona; Michael of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Joan of Lincoln, Nebraska; Laura (Kris Thornwall) of St. Paul, Minnesota; and Mary (John) Kuhn of New Ulm, Minnesota. She also delighted in her nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her seven siblings, and her daughter-in-law Ruth. INTERMENT: Afton Township Cemetery, Rural Cherokee, Iowa Greenwood Funeral Home

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Emma Louise Leeper Phelan's memorial?
Emma Louise Leeper Phelan's memorial is located at: Afton Cemetery, Cherokee County, USA.
When did Emma Louise Leeper Phelan death?
Emma Louise Leeper Phelan death on 24 Apr 2018 in Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Emma Louise Leeper Phelan's memorial?
Latitude: 42.8064003
Longitude: -95.4863968

Family Members:

Parent

James Martin Leeper

(1893 - 1954)

Helen Maria Roth Leeper

(1896 - 1933)

Spouse

Robert William Phelan

(1920 - 1992)

Siblings

Charles Joseph Leeper

(1919 - 1923)

Frances Arlene Leeper Griffith

(1923 - 2016)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Afton Cemetery
Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8064003, -95.4863968

2. Cherokee County Pioneer Cemetery
Spring Township, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8502998, -95.4906006

3. Cedar Cemetery
Larrabee, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8361015, -95.5346985

4. Memory Gardens
Cherokee, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7778015, -95.5580978

5. Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery
Aurelia, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8165000, -95.3885000

6. George Donohoe Grave Site
Cherokee, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7571850, -95.5704080

7. Beacon Hollow Cemetery
Cherokee, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7572057, -95.5727856

8. Mount Calvary Cemetery
Cherokee, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7639008, -95.5847015

9. Haight Family Farm Cemetery
Aurelia, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7778400, -95.3781060

10. Oak Hill Cemetery
Cherokee, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7496986, -95.5796967

11. Saint Johannes Cemetery
Brooke Township, Buena Vista County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8662758, -95.3669968

12. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Aurelia, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7024994, -95.4460983

13. Liberty Cemetery
Meriden, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8368988, -95.6361008

14. Fred Feldman Grave
Waterman Township, O'Brien County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9178590, -95.4433340

15. Meriden Cemetery
Meriden, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7868996, -95.6425018

16. Plainview Cemetery
Alta, Buena Vista County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8087100, -95.3280200

17. Elk Cemetery
Elk Township, Buena Vista County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7641983, -95.3094025

18. Hannibal H Waterman Cemetery
O'Brien County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9375530, -95.4170760

19. Liberty Cemetery
Calumet, O'Brien County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9241982, -95.5932999

20. Good Hope Cemetery
Cherokee, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6618996, -95.5258026

21. West Pilot Cemetery
Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6674995, -95.5841980

22. Waterman Cemetery
Sutherland, O'Brien County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9664001, -95.4847031

23. Oakland Cemetery
Peterson, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9281006, -95.3432999

24. Calvary Cemetery
Sutherland, O'Brien County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9686012, -95.4858017