Leaving a rich legacy of wit, wisdom, courage, tenacity, compassion, and a classic representation of the Montana values of hard work, responsibility, common sense and devotion to family, Mary Alice Jenkins Fenton passed away on October, 29, 2016. She will be sorely missed and long remembered with love and respect.
She was born October 9, 1934, in Billings, Montana, to Carol Alma Daniels Jenkins and Leslie Vance Jenkins. Her parents and grandparents were business owners in Hysham, Montana, and she grew up there, graduating from Hysham High School in 1952.
After graduation, she attended Eastern Montana College where she earned an elementary teaching certificate. She taught in Roundup, Lockwood, and at Rancher School before returning to Eastern to earn a bachelor’s degree in special education. She taught at Laurel and Billings and once again taught at Rancher School before beginning a long teaching career at Hysham Public Schools. During her tenure at Hysham, she taught many different subjects, including junior high school language arts and high school business math. She returned to college several summers to earn endorsements in library and school counseling and for many years served as the librarian and school counselor in addition to her teaching duties. She also sponsored many activities from the student council to the Corsairs, the high school drill team, to the junior class. Building floats and decorating for proms was a regular part of her school years. Alice’s passion for teaching was well known, and she made a difference in the lives of many students over her long career. She never gave up on a student and her belief in the unlimited potential of every student was well known.
On September 2, 1961, Alice married Ward Fenton at the Community Presbyterian Church in Hysham, and they were married for 55 years. They had two children, Paige Marie and Burke Ward. They farmed and ranched for many years in the Pease Bottom area north of Myers, Montana, where they raised horses and cattle. After they sold the ranch and Alice retired from teaching, she helped her husband Ward with his real estate business. After the death of Alice’s brother, Michael, her nephew John-Michael joined the Fentons in Hysham and lived there until he graduated from high school.
Alice enjoyed a wide range of activities and interests. She was a member of Eastern Star. As a member of the Community Presbyterian Church of Hysham, she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and played the organ. She played bridge regularly as a member of both a Billings and a Hysham bridge club, and spending time with the “Bridge Ladies” was one of her joys. A dedicated supporter of her family’s endeavors, she was always willing to travel to events for her daughter and her grandchildren and other family members. She especially cherished the time spent playing games, reading, and doing projects with her grandson. Doing crossword puzzles was another of Alice’s avocations, one she picked up from her mother.
Alice is survived by her husband, Ward, of Worden, MT; daughter Paige Fenton Hughes (Doug) of Douglas, WY, and their son Jackson; and granddaughter Loni Watson (Matt) of Chadron, NE, and their daughter Reese. She is also survived by her nephew, John-Michael Jenkins (Heather) of Portsmouth, NH, and their children Grace and Lily; niece Elizabeth Christy (Jesse) and her children Zachary and Sarah, and niece Cynthia Koures (Tony) of Missoula and their children Eleni and Demetri. Her parents, her son Burke, her brother Michael, and her brother Vance preceded Alice in death.
Services will be held at Community Presbyterian Church in Hysham at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2016, with burial to follow at the Rancher’s Cemetery. Lunch will be served at the Hysham Community Center following the services. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be sent to Alice Fenton Scholarship Fund, PO Box 39, Worden, MT 59088. A scholarship will be given to a Hysham High School graduate in Alice’s name to honor her legacy as an educator.
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Wednesday November 2, 2016
Community Presbyterian Church
Hysham, MT 59038
Funeral Service
to 11:00 AM
Thursday November 3, 2016
Community Presbyterian Church
Hysham, MT 59038
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Wednesday November 2, 2016
Community Presbyterian Church
Hysham, MT 59038
Funeral Service
to 11:00 AM
Thursday November 3, 2016
Community Presbyterian Church
Hysham, MT 59038
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Connie Watts says
Ward, Paige and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Wonderful Alice was a true friend to all who were fortunate to know her. My fondest memory will always be that she was such a lady and nothing seemed to ever get her down. Keeping you all in my prayers and thoughts and believe Alice is already sorting horses and correcting pedigrees. Love and hugs to all.
Kathy Hitt says
Paige and family…we are so sorry to learn of your loss. I know how important you mother was to your family. May she Rest In Peace and you find comfort for your grief.
Kathy and Kate
Elizabeth Hunton says
Dear Ward, Paige and family, I am so sorry to learn of the loss of Alice. What a lovely, charming and warm person she was. It is such a blessing that she will be with you always in such sweet memories. Wrap those memories around you and take comfort in knowing that she is so loved and respected by all who knew her.
Diana Ludwick says
Paige and family, I’m sorry to hear about your Mothers passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Roger, Diana Ludwick & Family
Jo Eklund says
We are all going to miss our dear friend Alice. Her and Ward made our yearly travels so very much fun and were the best travel companions! Our deepest sympathies to all your family. Love Lew and Jo
Toni Sharp says
Paige, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Clint Casterline says
So sorry to hear about your loss
Howard and Carole Jenkins says
Howard and I are so sorry for your loss. It’s been a few years since we’ve been to Montana but when we we’re able to spend time with Ward and Alice it was delightful. Howard and I send our thoughts and prayers to the family. We’ll miss Alice.
Traci Curtis says
Prayers of comfort for you and your family
Sue Belish says
While I never met her I know that Alice must have been a remarkable woman. After hearing many stories from her daughter and reading about her I am convinced that her passion for education was transferred to Paige. I never knew that Alice and I shared not only a love for teaching, but that we both taught at Lockwood School during our careers. My thoughts and prayers go out to my friend Paige and the rest of her family. I believe that Alice’s spirit resides within you all through many cherished memories. Peace be with you
Don & Becky Criswell says
Ward, Paige and Family…. we are so sorry to hear of the loss of Mrs. Fenton. She has touched so many lives throughout her years and will be greatly missed. Please know we are thinking of your and you are in our prayers.
Heather & Dave Pfancook says
Mr Fenton, Paige & Family
I am so sorry for your loss. Mrs Fenton was one classy, sassy lady. It took a great lady to keep Mr Fenton wrangled for more than five decades. You have our deepest sympathies. We are praying for you all.
Love Heather, Dave & Torchy
Mary Lucas says
Ward , Paige and family
So sorry to hear about your loss. You’re in my thoughts and prayers. Alice was an amazing Lady
Brandi Jo says
Paige, Ward, and family, my deepest sympathy at this difficult time. My prayers are with you all. I didn’t have Alice in my life for very long, but for little time she was, she made an impact. For a brief few years she made the CCHS girls basketball team feel like her girls; she always seemed to have an encouraging word or just a smile for us. God Bless and keep Alice and all of you.
Karen Craven Stone says
Paige, I’m so very sad to hear of the loss of your Mother. The memorial write up was beautifully done and I’m sure her passing will be felt by many many people. Please know that you and all your family are in my thoughts and prayers in this sad time.
Diana Clapp says
Paige, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. As I read your mother’s memorial, I saw your reflection and know her spirit lives through the person you are. May the memories of how her life touched so many people bring you peace. Take care of yourself my friend and praying for your gentle healing.
Birdie Miller says
Paige,
I am so sorry to hear this. You and your family are in my prayers.
Jason Cunningham says
Ward, Paige and family,
Alice was a wonderful neighbor, great teacher and classy lady. I’m so sorry to hear of her passing. Although I have seldom seen you guys in the last couple of decades, I feel very fortunate that we had a nice visit in January following my mom’s funeral. You are all in my thoughts.
Bob and Carolyn Rhodes says
Ward and Paige,
We send our sincere sympathy. I just now saw it on FB. I always enjoyed reading her posts and seeing pictures she posted. Although it has been several years since we have visited we always will be greatful for your friendship. We had several things in common-teaching and quilting. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
D. Williams says
No doubt this is a difficult time and your heart is aching. The Bible provides comforting scriptures that soothes the heart. I hope you find comfort in the promise Jehovah made for the near future at 1 Cor 15:26.