Merilee Elizabeth (Schwob Neary) Fenton – known as "Pie" to many – passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 29 surrounded by family and friends. She was 50 years old.

Merilee was born in LaGrange. Ga. on August 17, 1972. She graduated from Valley High School in 1990 and received her Associates Degree from Des Moines Area Community College in 1992. She married K. Charles Fenton on May 21, 1994. They lived in Arizona, Japan, Florida and Iowa City, Iowa before finally settling in Prairie City, Iowa with their family in 2001. Merilee raised two children: Jakeb William Fenton, born October 12, 1998, and Kayleigh Mackenzie Fenton, born July 18, 2001.

Merilee tried a few professions before she found her true calling as a high school math teacher. She returned to school and graduated from Grand View University in 2004. She taught at Carlisle High School from 2005 -2007, then at Colfax-Mingo High School from 2007 until just days before her passing. Merilee was a beloved teacher who made a long-term impact on her students' lives. Beyond algebra, geometry, and calculus, she developed relationships with her students that helped form them into the people they are today. Her students came second only to her own children, and many of them considered "Mama Fent" a mother to them as well. Merilee also was heavily involved in prom planning at Colfax-Mingo High School, spending countless hours fundraising and preparing for the annual event. When she wasn't teaching, you could find her at the gym, spending time with friends, traveling or snuggling at home with her animals.

Merilee is survived by her two children, Jakeb Fenton of Prairie City, Iowa and Kayleigh Fenton of Arlington, Va.; stepdaughter Rachel (Tim) Palmer of Buckingham, Fla.; grandsons Kane and Korbin Palmer of Buckingham, Fla.; mother Claudia Stevenson of Des Moines, Iowa; stepfather Michael (Marci) Neary of West Des Moines, Iowa; and sister Meghan (Kevin) Zierke of Johnston, Iowa. Merilee was preceded in death by her father Tom Schwob in 2001.

A visitation for Merilee will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at Walters-Coburn Funeral Home, 201 S Marshall St., Prairie City, Iowa from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made directly to the Merilee Fenton Memorial Colfax-Mingo Scholarships through the Colfax-Mingo School.

Merliee's Memorial Service: https://vimeo.com/767793865