Bernadette Julia Fenton

Fenton, Bernadette Julia MADISON -- Senora Bea Fenton, age 89, passed away peacefully of heart failure on Monday, April 19, 2010 in her apartment at Capitol Lakes Retirement Community. Call her Bernie, call her Bea or better yet, call her Senora Fenton as did hundreds of West High School students who passed through her Spanish classes. She loved them all. Bea Fenton was born on March 23, 1921 in St. Cloud, Wisconsin to dairy farmers, Clara and Frank Muellenbach.   She was the eldest of five girls and much later one boy. Her biggest dream as a child was to be a teacher.   After many years, with the encouragement of her husband, James A. Fenton, who valued higher education above all in life, and after much hard work and many challenges, she succeeded in achieving her dream. She became a teacher and got her dream job at West High where she taught for 20 years.   An inspiration, she made her mark, one student at a time. She took groups of students annually on excursions through Mexico so that they might learn to appreciate the cultural differences and practice the language. Together with her husband of 51 years, she traveled the world to satisfy her enduring hunger to learn more about other cultures, languages and historical legacies. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to also travel and expand their horizons.   She was a true beacon of internationalism, embracing diversity and enjoying each individual. Bea Fenton is survived by her daughters, Carmen (Steve) Olejnik of the UP, Claudia (Rudi) Wicki of Zurich Switzerland, her grandchildren: Kelly (Tony) Caruso, Carrie Coffman and Andrew (Tracey) Coffman as well as two great grandchildren: Isabella and Nicolas Caruso of Illinois and many beloved cousins and nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank in particular Aisha, Arleen and Berta as well as the other staff at Capitol Lakes Retirement Community, HospiceCare and BrightStar for their excellent and personal attention and care. Thanks also to George Croal her long time financial adviser (now retired) and sometime chauffeur and gofer!   Senora Fenton will be missed not only by her family but also by everyone whose lives she touched. A Memorial Service in celebration of her life will be at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACH CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Drive on Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. with Monsignor Kenneth Fiedler officiating. Private entombment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison.