Diane Kay Fenton

Diane Kay Fenton, the daughter of Arthur “Buzz” Sylvester and Alice Florence (Kisting) Haggin, was born August 29, 1940, in Moville, Iowa and died March 21, 2017, at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 76 years, 6 months, and 22 days.
Diane was baptized and confirmed at the Methodist Church in Moville, Iowa. She attended Moville Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1958. Diane was hired as a switchboard operator for Pilly Ice Cream Company in Sioux City, Iowa but they were so impressed with her hand writing that they also had her hand write all of their advertising.
On February 25, 1959, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Eugene “Gene” Fenton at the Methodist Church in Moville. They were blessed with four children Deb, Joyce, Kenny, and Lori. They lived in several communities for a short time then settled in Newton, Iowa for a few years. In 1967 they moved to Audubon, Iowa. During this time Diane was a home maker and then later worked as a secretary for D.R. Burger. Diane and Gene started their own trucking business in 1974. They were contract carriers operating under the name of Gene Fenton and Son, Inc. Diane did all the paperwork and handled the finances. They operated the business for over 35 years before they retired in 2010. During retirement, Diane spent much of her time doing volunteer work in the community, especially Caring and Sharing. Diane was a very dedicated member of the TOPS group in Audubon, the ladies were very special to her. She was a devoted Facebook fan and spent many hours communicating with friends and family. Diane enjoyed writing poetry and loved going to and watching the High School Basketball teams. Gene and Diane enjoyed gardening and canning the produce. Diane loved garage sales and was an avid bargain shopper.
Diane had a very strong faith and was a member of the Hamlin Lutheran Church in Hamlin, Iowa until it closed then became a member of the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira. She was famous for her ham and bean soup, potato salad, and maid-rites, but always enjoyed cooking and making Christmas candy.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her sister Beverly Pansa; her brother Arthur “Butch” Haggin; her brother-in-law Gary Dean Fenton; and her mother-in-law and father-in-law Kenneth and Maxine Fenton.
Survivors include her husband Gene Fenton of Audubon, Iowa; her children Deb Fenton and Michael of Mystic, Iowa, Joyce and husband Kent Grabill of Audubon, Iowa, Kenny and wife Michelle Fenton of Bellevue, Nebraska, and Lori Panzi Des Moines, Iowa; her grandchildren Lindsey Nelson, Brooke Nelson, Ashley Hautt, Andrew Grabill, Logan Panzi, Kristin Fenton, Justin Fenton, Melissa Oestmann, and David McCullers; her great grandchildren Alexia Fox, Ceiria Fox, Mercy Rae Sandoval, Cruz Sandoval, Cash Sandoval, Raymond Sandoval, Jr., Gene Hautt, Carter Hautt, Eldon Hautt, Ryliegh Fenton, Ryder Fenton, Victoria Oestmann, McKenzie Oestmann, Kinley Jo Perrigo, and Conner Perrigo; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Patsy and husband Lonnie Risher of Centerville, Iowa, Judy and husband Bill Neal of Parksville, Missouri, Dennie and wife Charlotte Fenton of Moulten, Iowa, Kim Ferren of Rhome, Texas, Jeanine Haggin of Kingsley, Iowa, and Mike and wife Mary Pansa of Murchison, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, many friends, and “Shadow” her beloved cat..
The Celebration of Life Memorial Services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Saturday afternoon, March 25, 2017, at 2:00 P.M. at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. Inurnment will be in the Hamlin Lutheran Cemetery east of Hamlin, Iowa. Honorary casket bearers will be her grandchildren and great grandchildren. The family will meet with friends Saturday afternoon from 12:00 P.M until the time of the service at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. The family prefers memorials to the Exira Lutheran Church, Audubon Caring and Sharing, or the Audubon Fire Department.