Fonda Kay Powers
On Wednesday, August 17, 2022, Fonda Kay Powers, loving mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away at the age of 84. Fonda was born on March 27, 1938, in Sidney, IA, to Roy and Lucille (Earl) Ballinger and raised in Thurman, IA. Prior to graduating from Thurman High School in 1955, she excelled on the basketball team. It was at a game in Farragut where she met her future husband, Orville Powers. On September 15, 1956, Fonda and Orville married and planted their roots in Hamburg, IA, where they raised 7 children: Roy, Marvin, Rhonda, Roxanne, Roberta, Charlotte, and John. She worked at Interstate Nurseries, the Blue Moon, and the Harvest Inn. Fonda’s 16 years working at the nursery brought her great joy and many memories, and she took much pride in her meticulous work in the rose department. Her passion for gardening was not reserved for the workplace; Fonda cultivated an impressive garden with her family where all contributed and learned about nourishment, love, and work ethic. The green thumb which she instilled in them carries on today. Whether a birthday, holiday, or any given Sunday, Fonda poured love into her cooking as her family gathered, and grew to have families of their own; as the family grew, so did the love. Not only was her family blessed to experience her culinary skills; Fonda also enjoyed cooking for and working with the community she called home for decades as she did at the Moon and the Harvest.
Fonda’s passion for sports also spanned her life. Valuing the qualities athletics provide such as determination, teamwork, and commitment, she encouraged her children to participate in basketball, swim team, track, football, baseball, and cheerleading. Fonda could often be found rooting for her favorite NFL or NBA teams and had a knack for putting together a strong NCAA bracket.
Fonda was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Lucille Ballinger, husband Orville Powers, infant son Marvin Powers, brother Rex Ballinger, and father- and mother-in-law John and Mamie Powers. She is survived by her children Roy Powers of Oklahoma City, OK, Rhonda MacDonald (Steven) of Sidney, IA, Roxanne Sebek (Kenneth) of Hamburg, IA, Roberta Aistrope (Duane) of Randolph, IA, Charlotte Thomas (Scott) of Sidney, IA, and John Powers and Connie Lehan of Sidney, IA, as well as her sister Martha Harris (T.J.) of Glenwood, IA, and sister-in-law Bonnie Ballinger of Brewton, AL. Fonda is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends. A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at Marshall Funeral Chapels in Sidney, IA. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, also at the funeral chapel in Sidney with Fr. Daniel Siepker officiating. Interment will be in the Thurman Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the Blue Moon in Hamburg, IA. Memorials should be directed to the Fremont County Historical Society, Sidney Fire and Rescue, or Hamburg Fire and Rescue. The Marshall Funeral Chapel in Sidney, IA, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.marshallfuneral.com.
