Mrs. Wannetah Phelps, age 91, passed away on Friday, March 11, 2011.  After graduating in 1937 from Rockford High School , she began working for Wolverine World Wide.  Wannetah married E. L. Phelps on March 14, 1942, the same day E.L. received his draft notice. While he was away she continued to work at Wolverine and was able to keep up the payments on the home they had purchased in Rockford before their marriage. After the war E. L. and Wannetah moved to Cedar Springs where E.L. would work on the family farm with his father. Wannetah learned to be a farmer’s wife where she helped with many chores and ran an egg route with her mother-in-law.  She was a 4H leader as her children became involved and remained a supporter of 4H throughout her life. After her children were grown Wannetah worked as a school secretary for 17 years. That was a job she loved dearly.  Wannetah loved people and was very compassionate. She was the family caregiver beginning with their daughter Susie when she had cancer at age 7.  Her son, daughter, mother, in-laws, and husband all were under her care during illness and their later years.   At 90 she learned to use a computer and email. She enjoyed  being able to keep in touch with family and friends and developed relationships she may not have had otherwise. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Jan Phelps of Rockford; granddaughter, Stacey Ziehl, as well as the Longcore kids she adopted as her grandchildren, Sarah, Allyn, Aaron and Kyle; great-grandson, McCoy Ziehl, and honorary great-grandchildren, Cade and Ryan, Charlie and Sam, Kylah and Elena; many nieces and nephews including Kelly Longcore and Larry Vargo. Wannetah was preceded in death by her husband, E. L. Phelps on August 4, 2007, her son, James Phelps on April 19, 1993, her daughter, Susan Kay Phelps on December 23, 2006, her grandson, Matthew Phelps on December 27, 1996, and sisters, Vivian VanderMeer and Dorothy Vargo. The service for Mrs. Phelps will be Tuesday at 7:30 p. m. at Courtland-Oakfield United Methodist   Church with Pastor Mary Ivanov officiating. Interment in Courtland Twp. Cemetery . Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Kent County Youth Fair, 224 South Hudson, Lowell , MI 49331.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the Pederson Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. on  Monday and from 4 to 6 PM Tuesday. Following the 6 PM visitation on Tuesday you are cordially invited to join her family at the Courtland-Oakfield United Methodist Church for a dinner and time of fellowship until the time of service. Arrangements by The Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com