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Obituaries of Michael Fenner and Raymond G. Anderson
August 5, 1968 - March 9, 2023
Michael Robert Fenner, 54, of Chiefland, FL (lived in Ankeny, IA most of his adult life) passed away peacefully on March 9, 2023, in hospice at his daughter’s home in Gainesville, FL. He suffered a traumatic brain injury on August 14, 2022, and after fighting hard for seven months he succumbed to the injury in March.
A visitation will be held from 1:00 -3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50023).
Mike was born August 5, 1968, in Middletown, NY to Chuck and Linda (Dickinson) Fenner. He grew up in New York until the age of 9 and then the family moved to Clearwater, FL. He also lived in Toledo, OH for several years and then moved to Ankeny, IA in 1992. He worked in the construction industry for more than 30 years.
Mike was a man of many talents. He was a concrete mason for most of his life in Iowa before moving to Chiefland, FL in 2020 to start his own company. He excelled at everything he did, especially with his work and when it came to building and cooking. Specifically, while living in Chiefland, he built a tiki bar and fire pit area as well as an outhouse, to help enjoy the backyard. As far as his cooking, anyone who was ever around for his campfire meals, Sunday brunch and meals from scratch, was never forget them.
Mike enjoyed everything outdoors. Hunting, fishing, camping, golf, and most of all, doing these things with his beloved daughters. Mike was a Cowboys fan and loved watching football. He also enjoyed NASCAR, specifically drivers Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
No one who met Michael forgot his infectious laugh or smile. He had a great personality, sense of humor, and always had the best advice. He was the most caring man and father and adored his girls with everything he had. He taught them very important life lessons that have helped them persevere through all the battles in their lives. He was deeply missed.
Michael is survived by his two daughters, Hailey Fenner-Coles (Austin) of Des Moines, IA and Hannah Fenner of Gainesville, FL; mother of his daughters, Karla Williams; his father, Chuck Fenner (Lori) of Ankeny, IA; his mother, Linda Finch (Robert) of Chiefland, FL; his brother, Chuck Fenner (Dana) of Nevada, IA; his sister, Samantha Dietz (Jason) of Ankeny, IA; and five nieces.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention by mail at American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), 199 Water Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10038 or online at https://supporting.afsp.org/?fuseaction=donate.event&eventID=1&_ga=2.196179884.1857457840.1625596902-1487690552.1625596902
July 16, 1944 - March 9, 2023
Raymond George Anderson, 78, of Ankeny, IA, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at St. Paul Lutheran Church (1100 SE Sharon Dr., Ankeny, IA). A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, also at the church. Burial was followed the service at Ankeny Memorial Gardens. The funeral service was live streamed at http://www.stpaulankeny.org/
Ray was born on July 16, 1944, in Tacoma, Washington. After moving to Iowa as a child, he moved back to Washington to attend and graduate high school in Tacoma in1963. He was drafted and served his country proudly during Vietnam, stationed in Korea. He returned to Ankeny where he worked as an electrician in Des Moines. Ray then met Eileen and fell in love. They were married April 14, 1973, in Ankeny, IA, and were blessed with two boys, Jeff and Brian. He retired in 2010 after 31 years with the Ankeny Community Schools in maintenance.
Ray is survived by his wife, Eileen (Swan); sons, Jeff (Brenda), Brian (Lisa); four granddaughters that he loved so very much, Mackenzie, Marissa, Brynn, Kaelen; sister, Beverly Mitchell; twin brother, Richard (Marilyn) Anderson; brother-in-law, David (Genie) Swan; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Lorena (Fischer) Anderson; sisters, Alice (George) Rosenoff, Carolyn (Jim) Riley, and Mary Meador; and parents-in-law, Harold and Lucille Swan.
First and foremost, Ray was dedicated to his family with love and support. He loved attending, supporting, and watching his granddaughters’ events as they were growing up. Ray enjoyed playing cards, watching the Chicago Cubs, and inventing new things. His most famous patent was the Crayola Scented Crayons. He also has other international and American patents.
At the end of the day he loved his family and friends so hard that he wore out his heart.
Memorials may be directed the family for a future designation.