Judith A Phelan

Peacefully and surrounded by family, Judith A. Phelan passed away on November 29 at the age of 78. The eldest of 5 children, Judy was born in 1943 to Anne & Arnold Johnson of Onawa, Iowa. When she was young, they lived in the upstairs of the family-owned Iowa Theatre. She used to tell fun stories of how she would dance and sing on the stage before the shows. When the family moved into a farmhouse those stories became about their pony, her mom’s baking and the various antics of her and her siblings. After graduating from Onawa High School and moving to Des Moines, Judy married the love of her life, Jim, in 1965. They had 45 wonderful years together and had many adventures along the way with a house full of kids and pets. It was the simple pleasures that made her the happiest; having a good laugh, gatherings with the people she loved, a cup of coffee, game nights into the wee hours, movies with the grandkids, dancing & antique shopping with Jim and singing along to Barry Manilow. You could always count on her for advice, a hug or a good story. She was tiny but determined, always spoke her mind and was in charge until the end, even choosing to leave us on the same day we lost dad. Judy will forever be remembered by her children, Deb(Gary), Jill(John), Cindy(Adam), Christopher; Grandchildren, Alex, Gabby, Samuel, Samantha, Peyton; Siblings, Jerry(Barb), Johnny(Janice), Jannelle, Jimmy; her close-knit extended family, and an abundance of friends. She is reunited in heaven with her husband Jim and her parents Anne & Arnold Johnson. A celebration of life will be held on a later date yet to be announced. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in her name to the humanesociety.org or copdfoundation.org