Helen Fontana
December 13, 2016
Our beloved mother, grandmother, auntie and friend, Helen Mae Fontana, 97, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones and many prayers on December 14, 2016 at the Hospice of the Hills house in Harrison, Arkansas.
Helen was born to Pete and Frances Yanschek on November 24, 1919 in Des Moines, Iowa. She grew up in Carney, Iowa and graduated from Woodside High School in Des Moines, Iowa in 1939. On September 1, 1940, she married Dominic R. Fontana, they shared 59 years together until his passing in 1999. Dominic and Helen farmed together while raising their 3 boys. Dominic worked for and retired from John Deere Des Moines Works. Dominic and Helen owned and operated Dominic’s Place in Enterprise, Iowa for over 25 years, where Helen was the cook, and well-known for the best fried chicken and spaghetti.
Helen’s favorite pastimes all her life was first, working hard, then second, keeping a daily journal of all her activities and observations since she was a child. She intertwined scrapbooking with her journals, by putting stickers on each page, as well as pictures she cut from magazines. Family was most important to her. She loved to fly, and travel to spend time with all her family, from Iowa to Arkansas, Minnesota, Texas, Connecticut, Mississippi and Alabama. She loved to fish, take rides through the country, visit and share stories with everyone, feed and watch birds, her squirrels “Charlie”, deer and all other wildlife (including the grandchildren), work jigsaw puzzles, word searches and play solitaire.
Helen is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Richard P. (Maureen) Fontana of Cook, Minnesota and Dominic J. (Judi) Fontana Jr. of Everton, Arkansas; her three nieces, Frances Losee (Denny) of Des Moines, Iowa, Betty Abell of Biloxi, Mississippi, Jodie Miller (Ken) of Des Moines, Iowa; her grandchildren LuAnn Fontana (Steve Vaiana) of Ansonia, Connecticut, Patty Barnholt (Steve) of Arlington, Texas, Maria Fontana of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Anthony (Tony) Fontana of Urbana, Illinois, Rocky Fontana (Erika) of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Tanya Thomas (Bryan) of Adel, Iowa; fifteen great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Frances Yanschek; her husband, Dominic R. Fontana; her oldest son, Pete L. Fontana and his wife, Nancy; her loving sister, Marie (Mimi) Smith and her husband, Jim and a twin sister who died at birth.
Visitation is Sunday, December 18th from 4-6 p.m. at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services are at 10 a.m. Monday, December 19, 2016, also at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens in Des Moines, Iowa. Helen will be laid to rest beside her husband, Dominic, in the Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Following the internment, everyone is invited to share stories during a luncheon at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens.
Everyone is encouraged to attend and join in the celebration of Helen’s life. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society, the Hospice of the Hills (501 E Sherman Avenue, Harrison, AR 72601) or a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Sherry Failor
12/19/2016
I am so sorry to hear about Helen's passing. I so loved having her as a neighbor in Enterprise for all these years. She was my mowing buddy during the summer. Always so warm and friendly. I will miss her so much. Will keep you all in my prayers.
Linda Lappi
12/17/2016
So sorry to hear about your Mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless!
Mark & Chris Means
12/17/2016
Judi and Dominic we are saddened by the loss of your sweet Angel. What a great lady Ms Helen was. She will truly be missed. Her love for life was was bigger than she was. The world has truly lost an Angel. Fly high Ms Helen. You are in a better place
Don & Jean Countryman
12/16/2016
Dominic & Judi and to the Fontana family. We are thinking of you and are sadden with your loss. She was a wonderful lady and a big part of our life also. We will miss her but also know that she is in a better place. You made a wonderful home for her and she was so happy there. Love and prayers to everyone.
Michael McMurry
12/15/2016
Dick and Mo and to the Fontana family: Please know that we are thinking of you at this time and offer our tribute to the author(s) of a beautifully worded obituary. Your mom would have loved it. We extend our condolences to a wonderful family.
Marcia Roberts
12/15/2016
To Helen's family, what a blessing she has been since moving to Arkansas, will always remember our special times in the sun room watching the birds and Charlie, also the rides in my buggy checking cows and calves. She was a Great Lady.
Gary and LaVonne ANDERSON
12/15/2016
To the family of Helen Fontana. Blessings as you prepare to honor this lady who means the world to you. We appreciated the well written and loving obituary. She lived a full life and obviously treasured her family. We are sorry we will not be able to join you in person for services but we will be keep you in prayers for comfort. When Gary's mom died we realized: No one loves you quite the way your mama does. Her legacy will live on in all of you. She will forever be in your hearts. Love never ends. Thank God for specifically choosing HER to be the matriarch of your family. Even in sorrow we can, we must find reasons to rejoice. God's peace, LaVonne & Gary ANDERSON
Anne Harkin
12/15/2016
Fontana family - sincere condolences to you in the loss of Helen. Prayers go out to all of you.
Lee and Bish Rush
12/15/2016
Dick & Mo...We are so sorry for the loss of your Mother. She sounds like she enjoyed life to the fullest. What a beautiful Obituary.
Love and prayers to you and your family
Shelly Edgerton
12/15/2016
Rest in peace grandma Fontana. You well deserve the best angelic cloud that has long been reserved especially for you. Love and prayers to all of the Fontana family.
dave and kathy stanton
12/15/2016
So sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. She was a nice lady and
Sisu's greatest fan. Our thoughts
are with you.