Frances Elaine Phelps

Frances Elaine Phelps (Moen) passed away due to lung cancer on October 20, 2026. She was born to Otto Edvin Moen and Iona June Lund on July 16, 1944, and raised on a farm outside Clearbrook, MN with seven siblings.

Farm life was not something she enjoyed, so took up nursing. Her nursing career began in Thief River Falls, MN as a surgical nurse, eventually retiring from Altru Hospital as a postpartum nurse, helping new mothers and babies. A job she truly enjoyed. Frances worked flex time there, so she would call on her days off to see if they needed help and it seemed that they always did. They loved to see her, not only for her work ethic, but also she would often bring treats such as warm Anadama Bread with butter and honey.

She loved to travel, discovering lands and people. Getting to Greece, Turkey, Israel, Crete, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Belgium, Panama, Mexico, Aruba, Costa Rica and almost all the 50 states and Canadian Provinces. We were scheduled to go to Cuba, but got canceled at the last minute.

In her younger days, she enjoyed sewing, making her clothes because 1) couldn’t find clothes that fit and 2) something she could do while on-call for surgery. She also enjoyed painting landscapes and animals with various mediums, the last few years it was with water colors. This is something that the Moen clan seem to inherit from grandma Ella. And she couldn’t resist decorating a room, either in her mind of a place she didn’t own or actually the rooms in her house.

Frances married me, who was enamored by her beauty and grace, on June 21, 1975, which made it easy for me to remember, the first day of summer… It sort of was like opposites attract, because I don’t have a single bit of artistic creativeness in me, but we had a common denominator of our love for Jehovah.

During Otto’s funeral in 1986, he had quoted at his memorial 3 John 4, “I have no greater gladness than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” Baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness on July 6, 1958, she enjoyed talking about Jehovah’s qualities of love and justice. And His kingdom that will solve the death dilemma forever. The Bible talks about Jehovah having a yearning to bring back His servants and see them again, including His friend, Frances, through the resurrection in the near future. Now she can rest until that day arrives. Then we can welcome her back.

Frances leaves behind to grieve, her husband, Gary, and daughter, Samala Beuchler, son-in-law, Peter, along with her two grandkids, Noah and Simon. She has five siblings still living, Joy Wetenkamp of Clearbrook, Minnesota, Roger Moen (Carla) of Illinois, Linda Zemon (Bill) in Equador, Martin Moen (Colleen) in Oklahoma, and Michael Moen (Kay) in California. Predeceased are her parents, sister Arlene Wetenkamp and brother Steven Moen.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses: 4915 Hecker Road, Manitowoc. Visitation starts at 1:00pm with the funeral starting at 2:00pm. Zoom will also be available for those unable to attend in person. Zoom ID: 620-594-706 PW: 180500. A reception will be held at 5:00p.m. at the J.E. Hamilton Community House, 1710 W. Park St., Two Rivers.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com

As the care giver, I would like to thank the hospice team for the support. Along with my spiritual brothers and sisters for the prayers, spiritual and physical food, and the time visiting Frances. And, of course, my daughter, for the help during this stressful last weeks.