Yvonne "Vonnie" Fortney Jones, age 83, passed from this life to eternal glory on April 16, 2021 at RCC in Beloit. Born to Joe and Georgia (Ehrlich) Fortney on September 29, 1937, she spent her early years in several different cities and states. When she was just over a year old her sister, Barbara was born and the two became fast and lifelong friends in addition to being sisters. Vonnie was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church.
When Vonnie was just age 9, her daddy passed away and the family returned to Russell, Kansas, the family home. A good student, as Vonnie entered high school, she enjoyed Luther League, reading, and began work at the Russell Library.
After High School graduation, Vonnie attended Midland College in Fremont, Nebraska. While home the summer after her freshman year, she met Theador "Ted" Jones and they were married on June 22, 1957, spending 58 years together. They were blessed with three children: Jennifer, Kevin, and Melinda. Vonnie was a devoted mother and was involved with her children's scouting, 4-H, Sunday School and other pursuits.
Vonnie and Ted lived in numerous communities while Ted was completing his education and serving as school Superintendent. Those communities included Russell, Kansas; Valley Falls, Kansas; Emporia, Kansas; Stillwater, Oklahoma; Phillipsburg, Kansas; Derby, Kansas; Atwood, Kansas; and Overbrook, Kansas. In 1994, they retired in Salina, Kansas. Vonnie loved to host family gatherings and to spend special weeks and days with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were truly her joy. She and Ted also enjoyed many trips all over the United States during the early years of their retirement.
Vonnie worked at University libraries in both Emporia and Stillwater and also worked at Wichita State University. Many interests captured Vonnie's attention and she came to enjoy not just "participating" in these endeavors, but teaching them to others as well. She taught "Tole painting" to many budding artists and also researched and taught genealogy, exploring not only her own heritage but Ted's as well. She served on the Historical Society Boards and Library Boards of several communities. Vonnie was a gracious, kind, and warm person to all she met and with whom she crossed paths and she was a good friend to many.
Preceding her in death were: her parents, her husband, Ted and her son, Kevin.
Left to warmly remember and mourn her passing are: her daughters, Jennifer Reling, Beloit, and Melinda Jones, Minneapolis; her sister, Barbara (Morris) Krug, Russell; nieces, Andrea (Tom) Krauss, and Anita (James) Krug. She leaves to lovingly remember her, her grandchildren: Tarin (Dave) Hauck, Kathy Walmsley, Misha Walmsley, Kimberly (David) Cook, Kirk Jones, Daniel L. Reling, Nicholas (Kelly) Reling, and Jacob Reling. There are thirteen great-grandchildren. Vonnie also leaves her fur buddy (dog), Moose.
Funeral services will be at 10 AM Friday, April 23 at the Roberts Family Funeral Home, and a graveside service will be at 2 PM Friday at the Russell City Cemetery in Russell. Visitation will be prior to the service. Memorials may be given to the Resident Care Center or Solomon Valley Hospice.
Roberts Family Funeral Services, Beloit, is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be left at: www.robertsfamilyfs.com