Wanda Marie (Sweeden) Fenton, 95, of Melrose, Iowa passed away April 7, 2024, at the Lucas County Health Center. Visitation is Thursday, April 11, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with the family present. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 12, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton (914 Roland). Interment will be at the Brushy Cemetery, Plano. 

Memorials are requested to the Brushy Community Church (Chariton River Baptist), Russell Volunteer Fire Department, or the Brushy Cemetery. 

Wanda was born to Robert and Laura (Lindsey) Sweeden near Cleveland, Oklahoma. They moved to Iowa in 1937, and she attended country schools in Appanoose County. Wanda was the oldest daughter of her family, and she helped with her family at home during her younger years.

Wanda was married to Jerald Fenton at the Chariton River Baptist Church (Brushy) at Plano, Iowa on October 13, 1945, by Rev. Leroy Sparks. Jerald passed away in July 2014. Wanda accepted Christ as her savior, was baptized and became a member of the Church in 1945. Wanda and Jerald celebrated almost 69 loving years together. She lived in Washington township, southeast Lucas County near Russell, all of her married life. This area was also known as the Greenville neighborhood which had a Helper’s Club that Wanda and many neighbors belonged to. Mom and Dad lived most of their life in the home that they built together in the late 60’s.

To this union, they were blessed with three children: Jerald Stephen, Connie Sue, and Carol Ann. Wanda loved her family, and all were very dear to her.

Mom, being a farm wife, helped with farm work and chores over the years. Mom always found time to keep up with her children/family activities. She especially enjoyed her garden and flowers. Of course, when the children were grown, the garden would always produce more than anticipated, so you would find her canning the produce and giving it away to her children. Mom kept all the grandchildren as they came along over the years, and she loved keeping them. Mom was their grandma/Grammy, and grandmas are to love and spoil their grandchildren, and mom did a fantastic job. Wanda even had a pumpkin patch for her great grandchildren to enjoy.

For a few years, Wanda and Jerald 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 40 + years, having many overnight guests.  Wanda was Brushy Church Secretary for many years while Jerald was a Trustee of the Church, helping with many projects over the years.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jerald; siblings and their spouses: Ernest (Ingna), Ross, Sue (Phil) Jones, Lynn, Rosalie (Jim) Mullinix, Richard, and Tony; brother-in-law, Dwight (Ethel) Fenton; and four nephews: Bob and Larry Mullinix, Jerry Jones, and Dave Sweeden; and nieces, Sherry Peters and Billie Jo Zoch.

Left to cherish her memories are her children: Stephen (Michele) of Chariton, Connie (Rick) McKinley of Russell, and Carol (Eric) Ziel of Ankeny; six grandchildren:  Eric (Tawn) Fenton of Waverly, Jason Fenton of Plano, Heather (Mike) Kautz of Chariton, Susan (Alex) Oliver of Oakland, Erica (Brent) Conklin of Ankeny, and Jennifer (Pat) Graham of Ankeny; great grandchildren: Morgan, Reece, and Piper Conklin of Ankeny, Kellen Oliver of Oakland, Cameron (Kayalea) Kautz, Kaylee, and Kendyl Kautz of Chariton; sister-in-law, Dorothy Sweeden of Battle Creek; and many special nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.