Lucille Hannah Phelps, 97, of Casper, passed away Sunday, April 8, 2018, surrounded by her family.

Lucille was born September 3, 1920 in Great Falls, MT, the daughter of James Albert Hasterlik and Estelle Elizabeth Creel Hasterlik.

Lucille inspired those who knew her with her kindness, her quick sense of humor, and the steadfastness of her convictions. She loved the outdoors, riding her horse, Rex, in the summer and skiing and sledding in the winter. She loved to camp and sit by the fire with her hands wrapped around a hot cup of coffee.

Lucille graduated from Great Falls High School in 1939 and attended Great Falls Commercial College. In August of 1941, Lucille, her younger brother, and a friend took a seven-day pack trip through what is now the Bob Marshall Wilderness and she wrote a journal describing the trip titled ‘Ah, Wilderness’. In September of 1941, she moved to California and worked at Adel Precision Products as stenographer to the treasurer. She met William “Bill” Phelps, a Wyoming cowboy, at the Adel Riding Club and knew right away that he was the one. They were married on October 20, 1943 in North Hollywood.

After the war, they moved back to Great Falls, MT and then to Cody, WY. In Cody, they ran a business and raised five children. Lucille knew the importance of giving her children happy memories and often included nieces, nephews and other neighborhood children in family adventures. From 1968 to 1975, they lived in Bozeman, MT and then moved to Casper, WY where they worked together to build their home on the bank of the Platte River. Bill and Lucille were best friends and partners for over 50 years. In 1977, they decided to give their lives in service to God. The warmth of their home was ever an encouragement to friends and family. Lucille’s smile and the twinkle in her eyes will be greatly missed.

Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, William A. Phelps; son, Barry C. Phelps; and sister, Jeanette Bock.

She is survived by daughters, Marjorie A. Pezeshki (Cyrus), and Donna J. Shockley (Dick); and sons, William B. Phelps (Connie), and James W. Phelps (Jolene). She is survived by her brother, James C. Hasterlik; ten grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and several loving nieces and nephews.

On Saturday, April 28th at 10:30 am, Lucille’s memorial service will be held at the Casper Senior Center, 1831 E. 4th St., Casper, WY. On Sunday April 29th, at 2pm, there will be a graveside service at Riverside Cemetery, 1721 Gulch St., Cody, WY, with opportunity for friends and family to gather at the Holiday Buffalo Bill Village at 3PM.

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