Annette Maybelle Fenton's Obituary
Annette Dorn Fenton was born on July 11, 1920 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota in the family home. Her parents were George Lee Dorn and Annette Amanda Olson. Ann had 1 younger sibling, Robert Jennings.
The Dorns moved to Austin, Minnesota where George was the Projectionist at The Paramont theater and Ann’s mother owned rental property.
Annette graduated from Austin High School where she had met her future husband, Frederick (Fritz) Fenton, a friend of her brother Bob. After high school she went away to college and graduated from Miss Woods Kindergarten School in Minneapolis with her teaching degree.
Soon after graduation she opened Tiny Tots nursery school in Austin.
Frederick served as a crew chief in the Army Air Force in WWII and Ann was one of his Pen Pals as he was stationed in the Pacific. When he came home after the war ended, they fell in love.
On July 20, 1946, Frederick Ray Fenton and Annette Dorn married in Austin, Minnesota at Saint Olaf Lutheran church.
On July 23, 1947 the Fentons welcomed daughter Leanne Kay. Three years later on July 28, 1950 they welcomed son John Frederick.
The Fenton family moved from Austin, Minnesota to Colorado Springs, Colorado where Fritz Fenton was Health club manager in Manitou Springs and Ann took care of their two children. The family moved to Denver, Colorado a few years later and Fritz managed the health club at The Executive Club for several years while Annette started the Val-Ann Preschool.
Annette joined PEO in Denver and then changed chapters when they moved to Dallas, Tx . in 1986.
After Frederick retired in 1985, he and Annette traveled often. Ann sold her preschool and they decided to move to Dallas, Texas to be near daughter Leanne.
After Fritz passed away in 2006, Ann moved into Sunrise Senior Living of Plano where she enjoyed life to the fullest. She lived there for 12 years, residing in all 3 life stages, and was very well taken care of by their staff. As her health declined, she was put on Hospice and VITAS caregivers made her life comfortable. Her special Vitas nurse gave us months of peace and FaceTime visits while Covid 19 kept us apart for 4 months. We owe much to the staff at Sunrise during this very difficult time.
Ann was preceded in death by her beloved son, John Frederick and husband Frederick Ray.
She is survived by daughter Leanne and son-in-law John Ray Wise; Grandson Matthew Scott; Granddaughter Stephanie Rae Hinshaw, husband Andrew, Great grand daughter Kaci and Great Great Granddaughter Evelyn; Daughter-in-Law, Diana Fenton, Granddaughters Traci Lee Fenton and Jodi Lynn Schamberger, Great Grandchildren, Ethan, Tyler and Ella Schamberger who reside in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Ann passed away on June 28, 2020 of natural causes at Sunrise Senior Living of Plano.
Annette was loved by her family and friends and will surely be missed.
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