Fondren, Herta Luise Elisabeta Bogataj 1944-2013

FONDREN, BOGATAJ, POPOFF, BORDER, GADDIS, LAMP

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 11/17/2013 at 18:25:47

Herta Luise Elisabeta Bogataj Fondren

Herta Luise Elisabeta Bogataj Fondren, passed peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, after a brave fight with cancer on Wednesday, October 23, 2013.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James; her parents, Alois and Christine Simon Bogataj and her former husband, Dieter Popoff.

She was born in Petrovgrad, Yugoslavia, and in 1944, her family fled from their home to Austria where she spent most of her childhood. In 1951, her family immigrated to Des Moines, Iowa where she attended junior high, high school, and Iowa State University. Herta earned two letters in tennis, several writing awards in statewide contests, and in 1955, won a nationwide poster contest for Radio Free Europe. The poster was displayed at the Louvre in Paris and earned praise from then Vice-President Nixon. An essay, "When I Think About Advertising", won her recognition by The Advertising Club of Des Moines in 1954 and high praise from the Advertising Manager of the Wall Street Journal. Herta was also a very talented artist and graphic designer.

She lived in the New Orleans area from 1957 until her death. She received her U.S. Citizenship on May 7, 1958. After raising her two children, she graduated from UNO with dual degrees. She was an employee of the Dept. of the Interior from 1977-2008 as an HR Specialist. Cherished mother of Debra Border (Rick) and Elizabeth Gaddis (Jim). She lovingly cared for her husband, James, after he was diagnosed with cancer for 8 years until his death.

A very loving, devoted wife, mother and grandmother of Matthew and Bethany Lamp and Westly Gaddis.

Also survived by her brothers, Erich and William Bogataj (Judith) and nieces, nephews and friends. She will be forever missed. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Memorial Service on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at 1:00 pm at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, 6017 Camphor St. in Metairie. Interment will be in Union Cemetery in Newton, Iowa. The online guestbook is available at www.gardenofmemoriesfuneralhome.com.

Published in The New Orleans Advocate on Nov. 7, 2013.
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ ~ The Des Moines Register Legacy, Des Moines, Iowa.