Diane Kay Phelps

Diane Kay Phelps, 71 of Gaylord, passed away Thursday, November 17, 2022, at The Brook in Gaylord.

Born on March 29, 1951, in Saginaw, Michigan, she was the daughter of Joseph J. and Bell L. (Breternitz) Jarecki.  Diane grew up in Shields, a suburb of Saginaw, and was a 1969 graduate of Saginaw Arthur Hill High School.  On December 22, 1972, she was married to Craig M. Phelps.

Diane received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Central Michigan University.  She was a schoolteacher for several years, teaching in the Farwell School District and later at Kirtland Community College, Gaylord campus.  In addition to her teaching career, Diane also enjoyed several years as the owner of “Lads & Lassies”, a children’s clothing store in Alma.

In her spare time, Diane enjoyed flower gardening, boating, and participating and serving at Gaylord E-Free Church.  When their children were young, the family enjoyed snow skiing and watersports on Otsego Lake.  While other families would travel to warm southern locations for spring break, the Phelps family enjoyed family ski trips to Colorado.

Diane is survived by Craig, her husband of almost 50 years; her children, Kyle (Heather) Phelps of Tucson, AZ and Tara (Kyle) Herrington of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Nora and Erin Herrington; brothers, W. Joseph (Judy) Jarecki of Vanderbilt, Patrick Jarecki of Higgins Lake, and James Jarecki of Higgins Lake; brothers and sisters-in-law, Haan & Sue Phelps of Lancaster, PA, Roger & Rachel Chase of Lake City, and Rob & Renee Reynolds of Boyne City, and their families.  She was preceded in death by her parents. 

Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 PM Thursday, December 1, 2022, at Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, December 2, 2022, at Gaylord E-Free Church where visitation will begin at 10:00 AM.  Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to Compassus Hospice or The Brook (Gaylord) Staff Holiday Bonus Fund.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on her guestbook below.