Mike Phalen Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Mike was born December 11, 1938, in Mason City, Iowa, the son of Thomas and Mabel (Barney) Phalen. He graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School in Mason City in 1957 and later attended Loras College and NIACC in Mason City. On April 25, 1959, he was united in marriage to Carla G. Scharpff at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greene. He worked for Deere and Company for 7 years and later co-owned Hood and Phalen Insurance, retiring in 1994. He was a member of the State Independent Insurance Agents, past President of the Cedar Falls Independent Insurance Agents Association, on the Trees Board of the Cedar Falls Utilities, member of the Knights of Columbus and St. Patrick Catholic Church, where he had served as past President of the Parrish Council. Mike is survived by his wife, Carla of Cedar Falls; son, Patrick B. Phalen; daughter-in-law, Stephannie C. Phalen of West Des Moines; granddaughters, Kayla and Lauren Phalen of W. Des Moines; sister, Jane "Midge" VerHelst of Black Hawk, South Dakota; and many nieces and nephews. Mike died Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, John Phalen; brother, Dr. Patrick Phalen; and aunt, Jane Phalen, who raised Mike.