Todd Phelps

Todd V. Phelps, age  59, Grand Forks, passed away  on Wednesday, February 21, 2024  in Altru Hospital, Grand Forks with family at his side after a four year battle with colon cancer. 

Todd was born on February 26, 1964 to Ronald and Clara (Fain) Phelps. He attended schools in Grand Forks, graduating from Red River High School in 1982.  Todd enjoyed fishing with his father and friends, golfing, and going to the lake. 

Todd married Sandy Stallmo in 1988 and together they had a daughter, Kala.  They divorced in 1993. 

Todd worked for the Grand Forks Herald in the 80’s in the circulation department.  He worked for the Rydell Company at their Nissan/Honda Store in the 90’s.  He left the car business in1997 when the flood hit and returned to the Grand Forks Herald circulation    department where he was part of the Pulitzer Prize Award winning team.   He soon       transferred from circulation to advertising sales.   In 2001 he joined what was then the Red River Valley Potato Growers Association which is now the Northland Potato Growers Association and he continued with that job until his passing.  

Todd  has been with the Valley Potato magazine for close to 23 years. Since 2001 he has been General Manager of the magazine.

He has been with the Potato Associates for 22 years, Serving as President for 3 of those years and now serving as Secretary/Treasurer.  He has been on the International Crop Expo Committee since 2002.

He has also been on the Potato Bowl Committee since 2001 serving 15 of those years as Potato Bowl Chairman. Under Todd’s leadership, Potato Bowl week has become one of the largest community festivals in the region.

In 2006 Todd met Lynn Kvidt, the love of his life.  Todd then obtained his real estate license and assisted Lynn in property management and real estate deals.  Todd and Lynn enjoyed traveling worldwide.  He was an avid golfer and a wonderful cook.  He will truly be missed!

He is survived by his mother, Clara Phelps, Grand Forks; daughter, Kala Phelps, Grand Forks; grandson, Carter Weadick Phelps, Spring, TX; step-daughter, Haley Mahoney (Shaun), Richfield, MN   sisters, Rita Ozbun (Dean  Urness), Grand Forks, Lisa Adelman (Bill), Hugo, CO, and Rhonda Anderson (Brett), Grand Forks; fiancée, Lynn Kvidt, Grand Forks, step-children, Krystle Kvidt, Fargo, ND, and Josh Kvidt, Grand Forks, ND; three uncles and one aunt; numerous nieces and nephews and two great-nephews.  

Todd was preceded in death by his father, Ronald Phelps; brothers, Monty Phelps and    Kenneth Phelps;  and a nephew, Joel Hastings. 

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00  p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2024 in Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Forks. Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass in the church. The service will be available via livestream at holyfamilygf.org. 

Following the Mass a  Celebration of Life Reception will be held at Olive  Ann Hotel (5th floor), 14 North 4th St., Grand Forks.  Interment will be in Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks at a later date.