Cathy Fay Fenton

Cathy Fay “Queen B” Fenton, 69, of Eddyville, IA, passed away Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at Mahaska Hospital in Oskaloosa. Cathy Fay Fenton, daughter of Clarice and Violet (Davis) Behymer, was born July 17, 1952, in Ottumwa, Iowa. Cathy attended Eddyville School, where she received her education. Cathy married Merle Estes Sr., and five children were born to this union. Cathy and Merle later divorced but remained close friends. They knew that to raise a strong family, both mother and father needed to be present. Cathy worked at Clow Valve Company before starting her own housekeeping business. Cathy was an extremely hard worker and instilled this trait into her children. You better have your house picked up and cleaned if Cathy was coming, or she’d let you know. Cathy also worked for Robbie Davis, helping clean homes and remodel them. In 1988, Cathy met Larry Fenton, and the two were married on January 4, 1989. Cathy and Larry were husband and wife, but they were also best friends. Cathy loved to be outside; working in her yard was a joy. She also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and ensuring her kids knew right from wrong. Although Cathy could be a strict mother, her family was her true joy. She loved them all dearly. Cathy’s family includes her husband, Larry Fenton of Eddyville, IA, her four remaining children: Clara (Eugene) Warren of Fremont IA, James Scott (Michele Nicholson) Estes of Oskaloosa IA, Merle L. “Sonny” (Becky Swan) Estes Jr. of Russel, IA and Brenda Loraine (late John Rauch) Estes of Oskaloosa, and Ryan (Sabrina) Craver of Keomah Village, who was like a son to her; her eleven grandchildren: Melissa (Cameron) Upton, Courtney (Stephen) McCalister, Candace (Jakob) Turner, Aaron Estes, Harlan Almond, Ty Shilling, MacKenzie (Keegan Gordin) Miller, Steven Scott, and Makayla Estes, Killian Craver, and Michael Lee Barwick; and also, her eleven great-granddaughters, a brother, Earl Behymer of Eddyville, IA, two sisters; Patricia Barger and Karen Fenton, both of Oskaloosa, IA, Larry’s nephew, Jeff Williams of Spirit Lake, IA and many other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Melissa Lynn Estes, a grandson, Shane Michael Craver, her first husband, Merle Estes Sr., a son-in-law, John Rauch, a brother-in-law, Mike Fenton, and a sister-in-law, Pam Behymer. Cathy’s memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa. A potluck luncheon will be held at the Eddyville Fire Department in Eddyville. Please come and share a meal and memories with the Fenton family. Memorial contributions can be made in her name, in the care of Larry Fenton.

Cathy Fay Fenton

July 7, 1952 - December 15, 2021