Kenneth “Gene” Eugene Fenton, the son of Kenneth Elmer and Delores Maxine (Thomas) Fenton, was born September 20, 1938, in Centerville, Iowa and died December 9, 2022, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 84 years, 2 months, and 19 days.
Gene was baptized as an adult at the Hamlin Lutheran Church in Hamlin, Iowa. He attended the Centerville Community schools and the Centerville High School. Following school, Gene was employed by Hy-Vee grocery store for a short time then worked in the local coal mine. Needing a breath of fresh air, Gene, started working construction.
On February 25, 1959, he was united in marriage to Diane Kay Haggin at the Methodist Church in Moville, Iowa. They were blessed with four children Deb, Joyce, Kenny, and Lori. Gene continued working construction for several years then the family moved to Newton, Iowa where he was employed at Maytag. In 1967 they moved to Audubon, Iowa and Gene drove truck for D.R. Burger for a number of years. Gene and Diane started their own business in 1974. They were contract carriers operating under the name of Gene Fenton and Son, Inc. They drove from coast to coast carrying produce and hanging meat. The business grew and Gene had six trucks of his own and had several other drivers who had their own trucks. They operated the business for over 35 years retiring in 2010. During retirement Gene and Diane enjoyed gardening and canning the produce. They also loved being with their family and being involved in the many activities of their children and grandchildren. Diane died March 21, 2017. Gene has continued maintaining his home.
Preceding him in death was his wife Diane K. Fenton; his parents Kenneth and Delores Fenton; his brother Gary Fenton; his brothers-in-law Bill Neal and Art “Butch” Haggin; and his sister-in-law Bev Pansa.
Survivors include his children Deb and husband Mike Sornson of Mystic, Iowa, Joyce and husband Kent Grabill of Audubon, Iowa, Kenny and wife Michelle Fenton of Bellevue, Nebraska, and Lori Panzi of Des Moines, Iowa; his 9 grandchildren Lindsey Nelson, Brooke Nelson, Ashley Hautt, Andrew Grabill, Logan Panzi, Kristen Fenton, Justin Fenton, Melissa Oestmann, and David McCullers, 18 great grandchildren Alexia Fox, Ceiria Fox, Mercy Rae Sandoval, Cruz Sandoval, Cash Sandoval, Raymond Sandoval, Jr, Gene Hautt, Carter Hautt, Eldon Hautt, Ryleigh Fenton, Ryder Fenton, Rowen Fenton, Jaxon Randall, Casey Randall, Westyn Randall, Victoria Oestmann, McKenzie Oestmann, Kinley Jo Perrigo, and Conner Perrigo; his great great-grandson Xylan Fox; his brother and sisters Patsy and husband Lonnie Risher of Centerville, Iowa, Judy Neal of Lantana, Texas, Dennie and wife Charlotte Fenton of Moulton, Iowa, and Kim Ferren of Grapevine, Texas; his sister-in-law Jeanine Haggin of Kingsley, Iowa; his brother-in-law Mike and wife Mary Pansa of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, many friends, and his beloved cat Boots.
The family will greet friends Wednesday morning from 11:00 A.M. until the time of the service at St. Patrick’s Parish Center in Audubon, Iowa. The Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be conducted by Minister Jason Zaiger on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at 12:00 noon at St. Patrick’s Parish Center in Audubon. Inurnment will be in the Hamlin Lutheran Cemetery east of Hamlin, Iowa. The honorary casket bearers will be his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and his great great-grandson.
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Central time)
St. Patrick's Parish Center
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Starts at 12:00 pm (Central time)
St. Patrick's Parish Center
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