Obituary: Fonda Rexin

Fonda Rexin

Fonda Rexin, age 73, of Carrington, N.D., passed away surrounded by her loving family on Sat., Dec. 23, 2023.

Fonda's visitation was held Wed., Dec. 27, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., followed by her funeral service at 10:00 a.m., all at Evans Funeral Home, Carrington, N.D. Pastor Nate Skaife was officiant and pianist was Joye Stolz. Hymns were "Abide With Me" and "Amazing Grace." A private burial was held afterwards at the New Home Seventh-Day Adventist Church cemetery, rural Sykeston, N.D.

Honorary pallbearers were all of Fonda's grandchildren.

Fonda Jewel Hecox was born on Jan. 9, 1950, and became the daughter of Harvey and Myrtle Hecox.

Fonda grew up in rural Lamar, Colorado, and attended Campion Academy in Loveland, Colorado, and Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. She eventually followed her older sister, Jean, to Ohio to work at Worthington Foods. There she met Russell Rexin and they married on July 5, 1970.

Russell and Fonda worked side-by-side on the Rexin farm ever after. Fonda learned how to drive tractors and combines and hauled anhydrous tanks, too. She planted vegetable gardens and made lunches and meals for the farm crew and her four children. When they moved to Carrington, she accompanied Russell out to the farm every day.

Faith was an integral part of Fonda's life. She was a church organist and a piano accompanist. She played for church services, weddings, and funerals. Fonda played for many decades at New Home Seventh-Day Adventist Church of rural Sykeston and the Federated Church in Carrington.

She was very active in every aspect of church life, from teaching children's classes to preparing bulletins and acting as church clerk, on top of her constant presence at either the piano or organ.

She is survived by her husband, Russell; half-sister, Joy Graves; step-brother, Wade Graves; her four children, Chad (Alicia), Carma (Chris) Carpenter, Brenda Klein, and Michael (Michelle); 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Fonda was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Myrtle Hecox; her biological mother, Pearl Hecox Graves; her siblings, Frank Hecox and Jean Ashton; step-sister Wanda Graves and her parents-in-law, Carl and Otilda Rexin.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home, Carrington and New Rockford, N.D.