Fonda Evonne Harris' Obituary
Fonda Evonne (Herman) Harris, age 92, was born March 17, 1931 in Ottumwa, Iowa and passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at Mercy One Hospital in Centerville, Iowa.
Fonda was the daughter of Gilbert and Enid (Morrison) Herman. They preceded her in death. She had one sister; Sandra Lee (Herman) Hamke, who lives in Jupiter, Florida.
Her family moved from Ottumwa, Iowa to Centerville, Iowa her freshman year of high school. Fonda attended Centerville High School and graduated in 1948. She was a high school cheerleader.
Fonda married Jimmie R. Harris on December 12, 1948. To this union they had three children: William E. Harris, Deborah L. Harris and Mark R. Harris, all still living.
Fonda and Jimmie worked together in their business, Harris Insurance Agency. They both retired at an early age. Fonda was then able to do the things she loved like playing golf and cards. She also took up the hobby of oil painting and was amazingly very good. Fonda was an avid reader. She kept a spiral notebook of all the books she had read because it was hard for her to remember every one. She was a constant patron of the Drake Public Library.
Fonda was the 1952 Pancake Day Queen in Centerville, Iowa. She was married and had two children at the time. That was the last year the contestants could be married. She was an active member of Eastern Star for many years and a member of the First United Methodist Church.
Barbara Harris was Fonda's daughter-in-law. Her grandchildren were Aimee Corson, Jackie Leight, Richelle Hurlebaus, Kelly Niese and Michael P. Hedrick. Her great grandchildren were Ava Rose, Leila, Emily, Finnley, Freya, Ryan, Hailey and Katelyn. Fonda's nephew and niece were Steve Anderson (deceased) and Cindy Anderson.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, October 20, 2023 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville, Iowa with a burial service to follow at Oakland Cemetery in Centerville, Iowa. Visitation will be 1:00PM to 2:00PM Friday, October 20,2023 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to either Drake Public Library or Centerville Concert Association. Memorials may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, 501 N. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa 52544 ATTN: Harris Family. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page, www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
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