Frances Joan (Fena) Herring, 26 Apr 1934 - 27 Nov 2021

HERRING, FENA, WILLIMAK, BYERS, BROUGH, SHIELDS

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 12/9/2021 at 14:17:01

Frances "Joan" Herring, 87, of Belle Plaine, Iowa, passed away Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, at Belle Plaine Specialty Care, Belle Plaine, following a long battle with dementia.

Frances Joan was born on the family farm in rural Belle Plaine on April 26, 1934, to John and Bertha (Willimak) Fena. She graduated from Keystone High School in 1952. Following school, she worked in the insurance industry and for the local grocery store. Joan then worked as a secretary for Town and Country Wholesale until she married her husband, Gene Herring. Joan and Gene were married May 26, 1972, at the Christ United Methodist Church, Belle Plaine. The couple raised their children on Joan's family farm.

When the kids entered into school, Joan began driving a school bus and working for Grant Wood in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After retirement, she worked for Dollar General part-time. In their younger years, Joan and Gene enjoyed square dancing. She liked quilting and shopping, and loved to sew clothing for her daughters. Joan was active in her faith, being a member of Christ United Methodist Church, and participated in the church ladies' groups. She also was involved in the Friendly Neighbors Club and Belle Plaine Historical Society.

She is survived by her husband, Gene Herring of Belle Plaine, Iowa; children, James Byers of Minnesota, Amanda (Richard) Brough of Granby, Colo., and Barbara (Billy) Shields of Luzerne, Iowa; and grandchildren, Bennett, Mary and Chris Shields.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; son, Gerry Herring; and brother, John Fena.

Memorial service is 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, at Christ United Methodist Church, Belle Plaine, Iowa, with Pastor Thomas Petersen officiating. Burial will take place at Beal Cemetery, Belle Plaine. The service will be livestreamed through the funeral home's Facebook page. Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, at Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service, Belle Plaine.

Memorials may be made to the family. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.neuhausfuneralservice.com.

Published in The Gazette on December. 1, 2021and in The Hometown Current on December 8, 2021.