Jeanette D. Fondell, age 92, of Dubuque, passed away peacefully at 8:01 a.m., on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Ennoble Manor.  To honor Jeanette’s life, family and friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until 10:15 a.m., on Friday, August 4, 2023, at the Church of the Resurrection, 4300 Asbury Road.  Funeral services will be held immediately following visitation at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, at the church, with Rev. Phillip G. Gibbs officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.  Behr Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Jeanette was born on August 4, 1930, in Dubuque, Iowa, daughter of Leo and Bessie (Graham) Donovan.

Jeanette was a proud life-long resident of Dubuque, where she graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy.  She met the love of her life, John Fondell, and the couple would marry on February 27, 1954, at St. Joseph’s Prairie.  They had 6 children together and celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary before John sadly passed away on July 25, 1979.  Jeanette was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker and in later years would also go to work for Kwik Stop as a clerk for 8 years.  Her faith was an important aspect of her life and she was a long time member of Holy Ghost Church before joining the Church of the Resurrection.  In her free time, Jeanette enjoyed playing cards with her friends in several card clubs, and watching her beloved Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes on TV.  No doubt, spending time with her family brought Jeanette her greatest joy, and she was quick to point out how proud she was of everyone.  She was a wonderful woman who always had a kind word and a helping hand for those around her.  Jeanette will be deeply missed.

Those left to cherish Jeanette’s memory include

her 6 children,
Michael “Mike” (Pam) Fondell, Webster Groves, MO,
Robert “Bob” (Debby) Fondell, Maryville, TN,
William “Bill” Fondell, Chesterfield, MO,
Richard “Rick” (Amanda) Fondell, Urbandale, IA,
Ronald “Ron” Fondell, Johnston, IA
and Jolene (John) Howard, LeClaire, IA;

11 grandchildren;

10 great-grandchildren;

2 sisters,
Doris Wiederholt, Hazel Green, WI
and Rita (Tom) Kurt, Bernard, IA;

and 3 sisters-in-law,
Eileen Donovan, Dubuque, IA,
Eileen (Dean) Jewett, Dubuque, IA
and Sister Bonita Fondell, Dubuque, IA.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Fondell; 2 brothers, Robert Donovan and Roger Donovan; and a brother-in-law, Ken Wiederholt.

Jeanette’s family would like to thank the staff of UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital, Ennoble Manor and The Rose for their kindness and compassionate care.

The family will thankfully receive your support through greeting cards and memorials in Jeanette’s memory which may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Jeanette Fondell Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com