Dona Fry

Dona Birdeen Fry, 82, died peacefully Saturday, October 12, 2013 in Alton, Illinois after a courageous battle against lung cancer with her children by her side. She was born July 24, 1931 near Narka, Kansas to Anton “Tony” and Evelyn (Craig) Dolezal, the second of 11 children. Dona attended Munden schools and graduated from Fairbury High School, Fairbury, Nebraska in 1949. During these years she worked part time as a telephone operator in Munden and caregiver, housekeeper for the Turner family in Fairbury. Dona and Harold D. Fry were united in marriage on January 22, 1950 at his parents’ home in Fairbury. Together they raised a family, worked in their own business, hunted for their treasured collections, and thoroughly enjoyed their family, grandchildren and friends nearly 60 years until Harold passed away May 1, 2009. A loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandma, aunt, and true friend and all who knew Dona, knew she spoke what she thought and for this she will never be forgotten. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant son Ronald; brothers Earl, Glen, Howard, and Morris Dolezal; sisters Jerilyn Dolezal and Welma Melton; special nieces Tammy Riddle-Miller and Coleen Melton-Hernandez; and great niece Haley Riddle-Mathis. She will be deeply missed, but forever remembered by daughter Jan Hester and husband Dave, East Alton, IL, son and wife Jerry & Phyllis Fry, Little Rock, AR, daughter Becky (Sterling-Fry) Brandes and husband Bob, East Alton, IL; granddaughters Linda & Tim Myers, Kearney, MO, Carrie & Sean Cruse, Portage, IN, Lori & Ben McGhee, Godfrey, IL; step grandson Christopher Hester; great grandchildren Rachel, Sarah & Jacob Myers, Elizabeth, Nathen, Alivia & Mason Cruse, Josephine & Christian McGhee; step great grandson Miles Hester; sisters Sharon Zoch, Bryan, TX, Nelma Riddle, Lincoln, NE, Leanne Garrison, McCool Junction, NE and Edie Effenbeck, Hebron, NE; special aunt Marcella Dolezal, Belleville, KS; and four best girlfriends whom she loved like sisters Mary Kay Rains, Kansas, Iva Jane Rodgers, Oklahoma, Irene Baade, Arizona, and Faye Morrow, Illinois; and many friends in Kansas and Illinois. Reunited in heaven since October, Dona will be united by Harold’s side during a graveside service on their 64th wedding anniversary Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 1:00pm National Cemetery rural Narka, Kansas. Following the graveside service and inurnment family and friends will gather for a luncheon at Denton Hall in Narka. Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas is in charge of these arrangements.