Fonda Elaine Carris

Fonda Elaine Carris, 88, passed away on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at the Lovely Lane United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids, with visitation one hour prior. A Family Inurnment will be held at a later date at the Keota Cemetery in Keota, Iowa.

Fonda was born on June 1, 1938, the daughter of Otha and Cordelle (Semler) Jones. She attended country school through eighth grade. She graduated from Wellman High School in 1957. That fall, she entered Iowa Wesleyan College. Fonda completed her credits for graduation in three years, taking advantage of summer school classes.

Fonda met her husband, Keith A. Carris, at Iowa Wesleyan. The couple married on June 5, 1960, in Wellman, Iowa. Fonda and Keith graduated together from Iowa Wesleyan in 1961. Fonda started her teaching career in the Burlington School System, teaching grade school, while Keith joined the J.I. Case Company in Burlington. It was while living in Burlington that daughter, Denise, and son, Brian, were born. In 1966, the family moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, due to a job change for Keith. Shortly after their arrival to Cedar Rapids, their son Randy was born.

In Cedar Rapids, Fonda became a Special Ed teacher for the Joint County System, teaching mainly special needs children. Fonda and a friend purchased and ran the Noelridge Park Pre-school. She later joined the Cedar Rapids School System as a paraprofessional. Fonda joined Shive-Hattery Engineers in their accounting department, retiring from there after 16 years.

After retiring, Fonda worked mornings at the Cedar Rapids, Convention and Visitors Bureau and helped part time in the office at the Linn County Landfill near Marion. She taught Sunday School for several years at the Lovely Lane United Methodist Church and was a long-time secretary for Lovely Lane Women’s Society. She volunteered for several years at the Flower & Gift Shop at St. Lukes Hospital. Fonda was an enthusiastic member of the Heirloom Quilters. She was a wonderful wife, a loving mother, friend to many, and an excellent cook.

She leaves behind her husband of 66 years, Keith; son, Randy (Michele) Carris of Anamosa, Iowa; daughter, Denise (John) Layton of Marion, Iowa; grandson, Jason Layton; brothers, Lowell (Mary) Jones of Payson, Arizona, and Myron (Jeannie) Jones and Darwin (Donna) Jones, both of Kalona, Iowa.

Fonda was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Brian Carris; and brother, Loren Jones.

Memorials may go to the Lovely Lane United Methodist Church.