VINTON:  Janet Maria (Phelps) Lovell, age 69, passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton, following a sudden illness.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Harvest 365 Church in Vinton, with Pastor Bryan Lund officiating.  Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 PM on Wednesday, at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E 6th St) in Vinton.

Janet was born on March 15, 1955, to Eber and Evelyn (Nelson) Phelps of Urbana, IA.  Janet was the 10th of 12 siblings.  She was close with all of them.  She graduated from Urbana High School in 1973.  During her time in school, she enjoyed all sports, but especially softball.  Her love of softball continued to many women's leagues in the Vinton area.  She played shortstop and well known for that.

On October 15, 1983, she was united in marriage to Loren Lovell at the Little Brown Church in Nashua.  They were married for 41 years, raising their 4 kids together, Meggen (Bill) McNeill, Tammy (Jason) Laton, Patrick (Libby) Lovell, all of Vinton and Matthew (Melissa) Miller, of Marengo.

Janet held a few jobs over the years, making friends along the way.  Janet had a deep love for her family, friends, and her Lord.  She had a laugh that was so deep and infectious.  Over the years of Janet's life, she enjoyed horses, baking, reading, and on-line shopping, leading to her collections of all varieties.

Her greatest love was her family, including her 11 grandkids…2 Laton's, 5 Lovell's, 3 McNeills, and 1 Miller.  As her family grew, her favorite enjoyment was her 7, and 1 on the way, great-grandkids.  She is also survived by her 4 sisters, Mary (Doug) Bell, Shirley Toulbee, Lora (Okee) Walker, Nora (Arnie) Vaupel; 2 brothers, Lawrence Phelps, Ron (Patty) Phelps.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her great granddaughter, Avery Grace Fecht; her in-laws, Lyle, and Blanche Lovell; 5 siblings, Charles Phelps, Diana Phelps, Sharon Schneekloth, Linda Stewart, David Phelps; and her brother-in-law Lyle Dean Lovell.