Donald Phelan

Donald LeRoy "Don" Phelan, 92, of Big Springs, Nebraska, passed away June 27, 2026, at Sidney Regional Medical Center in Sidney, Nebraska.

Don was born March 16, 1934, in Big Springs, NE, to Frank Chester and Maude Esther (Peterson) Phelan. He grew up in Big Springs and graduated with the Big Springs High School class of 1952. On July 29, 1956, Don married Mary K. "Babe" Lanckriet in Julesburg, Colorado. The couple eventually settled in Big Springs, where they lived for most of their married lives.

Don made his living in agriculture, working alongside farmers throughout the area before going to work at the coop elevator, where he stayed for nearly 40 years. He gave many years to the community as a volunteer fireman. He was a member of the Platte Valley Custom Club and had a hand in the building of the drag strip at Julesburg. Don was a huge Nebraska Husker fan, and Saturdays in the fall were spent cheering them on.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Maude Phelan; grandson, Shawn Patrick Dehning, and his great-granddaughter, Morgan Dehning.

Survivors include his wife, Mary "Babe" Phelan of Big Springs; children Penny (Jim) Haugh of Grand Island, Peggy Dehning of Big Springs, Patty (Steve) Hoover of Brule, Perry (Donna) Phelan of Big Springs, and Paula "Jodi" (Tim) Alexander of Cheyenne, Wyoming; sister-in-law Suzanne "Polly" Zimmerman of Julesburg, Colorado, Arline Lanckriet, Janie Lanckriet; 16 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 22, 2026, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Julesburg with Father Mike O'Brien as Celebrant. Inurnment will follow at the Big Springs Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in Don's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsjulesburg.com.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Julesburg is in charge of arrangements.