The Friends of Phelps organization recently received a significant financial donation from the Hurst family, according to a press release from the non-profit organization.

Tom and Amy Hurst recently presented the gift in memory of Tom’s mother, Marcelyn Hurst. The amount of the donation was not disclosed.

The Hurst family vacationed in Otter Tail County for 40 years. In 2003, Marcelyn purchased a home on Lake Leon at Phelps Mill. Last November, Marcelyn passed away at the age of 91.

Her former home is now owned by Tom and Amy. The Hurst Family is from the Omaha, Nebraska area and according to Tom the entire family has great memories of vacationing at Phelps Mill. 

Marcelyn was a devoted farm wife, mother, grandmother, gardener, teacher and friend. Her last 15 years of teaching were in a one-room school house.

Besides her family, her true love was her summer home in Phelps Mill—a beautiful place on a lake with a large wooden deck with shade trees, her bird and hummingbird feeders. She loved when a pair of loons had a family, they knew her home was a safe area they felt comfortable to swim around the dock. Marcelyn would hop on her golf cart and round the corner in the park area and stop in at the Sugar Shack daily for an ice cream cone. She would often sit with the visiting grandkids on the store deck and watch the water flow over the dam and the tourists that happened by.

The Friends Of Phelps organization is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting Phelps Mill. The organization is thankful for the generous contribution.