Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Jerald Fenton Obituary

Born: Sat., Mar. 27, 1926
Died: Wed., Jul. 23, 2014

Visitation5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Fri., Jul. 25, 2014
Location: Fielding Funeral Home

Funeral Service2:00 PM Sat., Jul. 26, 2014
Location: Fielding Funeral Home

   Frederick Jerald Fenton, 88 years old was born to Earl and Exie Hammond Fenton in rural Lucas County near Russell, Iowa. Jerald was born in a heavy snowstorm, in those days the doctors came to the home.    Jerald attended Greenville Country School in Washington Township in southeast Lucas County and lived in a one mile radius area all his life. When the country schools reorganized, the Greenville school was moved into Russell for the Kindergarten classroom, his daughter Carol attended the first class to be held in Russell.     Jerald started farming at an early age, farming first with horses when helping his dad with the farming. He started raising Angus cattle at a young age and always enjoyed early spring when the first baby calves arrived. Jerald always looked forward to this time of year and even got his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to enjoy the new baby calves. 
   Later in life, Jerald bought the farm where he was born. Farming was a way of life for Jerald, once a farmer always a farmer. Jerald was a member of the Chariton River Baptist Church (Brushy) of Plano, Iowa. He accepted Christ and was baptized in 1940. 
    Jerald met the love of his life, Wanda Marie Sweeden and was married at the church by Rev. Leroy Sparks on October 13, 1945. To this union three loving children were born: Jerald Stephen, Connie Sue and Carol Ann. For a few years, Jerald and Wanda took their camper to Arizona for a few months in the winter and spent time visiting with family and friends. When summer came, they camped at the Iowa State Fair for over 35 years, having many overnight guests. Jerald’s first and foremost love was for his family, children and grandchildren. He was very proud of all his children, grandchildren and his great grandchildren. Jerald always loved seeing his great -grandchildren, they made him smile.  
   He was a man of few words, but you always knew what he meant or felt. He was always there to help, answer your questions or give you advice when needed. 
   Jerald was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dwight and sister-in-law Ethel Fenton, five brother-in-laws, Ernest, Ross, Lynn, Richard and Tony Sweeden and three nephews Bob and Larry Mullinix and Jerry Jones and nieces Sherry Peters and Billie Jo Zoch. 
   Left to cherish Jerald’s memory is his wife Wanda of almost 69 years, son Stephen (Michele) of Chariton, daughters: Connie (Rick) McKinley of Russell and Carol (Eric) Ziel of Boone. Grandchildren: Eric (Tawn) Fenton of Denver, Jason (Dia) Fenton of Urbandale, Heather (Mike) Kautz of Chariton, Susan (Alex) Oliver of Oakland, Erica (Brent) Conklin of Huntington Beach, California, Jennifer (Patrick) Graham of Ames. Great-Grandchildren: Morgan, Reece and Piper Conklin of Huntington Beach, California, Kellen Oliver of Oakland, and Cameron, Kaylee and Kendyl Kautz of Chariton. Sister-in-law’s Sue (Phil) Jones of Paw Paw, Michigan, Rosalie (Jim) Mullinix of Albia, Dorothy Sweeden of Arthur, and Ingna Sweeden of Odebolt, several nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends. 
    Memorials may be made to Brushy Community Church or Brushy Cemetery, Plano, IA

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