Senna Linn (Fisher) Kono

A graveside service for Senna Linn (Fisher) Kono will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Newton Union Cemetery.  Memorials to the Lucas County Humane Society (118 Lincoln Ave. Chariton, IA 50049) or the Chariton First United Methodist Church (923 Roland, Chariton, IA 50049) can be brought to the service or can be left at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton.

   Senna Linn Fisher Kono was born October 28, 1935, to Frank J. and Beulah M. (Bates) Fisher in Newton, Iowa. Senna grew up in Newton, graduating from Newton Senior High School with the class of 1954. During those years, Senna was a member of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls, earning the Grand Cross of Color, the organization’s highest honor. Senna also played violin in the high school orchestra.

   Senna loved music, and it was at a dance her family attended when she was 15 that she met a handsome saxophonist playing in the dance band. From that point forward, Layne Kono was her one-and-only. Senna and Layne married on August 14, 1955, at the Methodist church in Newton.

   Senna was an efficient, always-organized professional secretary, serving at Maytag and Bournes in Ames before her family came along. Karen was born in 1963, followed by Darcy in 1969. During that time, Senna put her organization skills to work in the home in Chariton. She enjoyed creating special treats at Christmastime and making clothes for her two girls. She and Layne were also members of Eastern Star, where Senna served as Worthy Matron. As members of First United Methodist Church, the family was active in many areas. Senna was appointed Lay Leader of the congregation, the first woman in southern Iowa to hold that position.

   Once her girls were in school, Senna returned to work, first for the Chariton Community School District, and then at Kent Real Estate and Farm Management in Chariton. Senna retired in 2001. In her retirement years, Senna still enjoyed keeping house and caring for Layne. Spending time with her grandchildren was also high on her list! She and Layne also had the opportunity to travel to Germany, plus several shorter local trips. One of their favorite things to do on a weekend was to drive to Pella for Dutch Letters.

   Senna and Layne enjoyed 55 years of marriage before Layne passed away in 2011. During the last years of Layne’s life, Senna cared for him selflessly in their home. Then, in 2015, Senna and her beloved dog, Sadie, made the move to Branson, Missouri to live with her daughter and son-in-law. It was there that Senna completed her journey on earth, June 9, 2021. Senna had the hope of all believers, that with Christ as her Lord and Savior, she would one day go to live with Him in Heaven. That is where she is today, reunited with Layne.

   Senna was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Beulah Fisher and parents-in-law, Lawrence and Iris Kono; her sister, Pamela Fisher Meyers; and her husband, Layne. She is survived by daughters, Karen (Keith) Halfpop of Branson, MO and Darcy (Andy) Gresty of Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK; grandchildren: Matthew (Ashley) Overland of Polk City, IA, Nathan (Nicole) Overland of Branson, MO, and Audrey Major of Des Moines, IA; great-grandsons, Parker Layne Overland of Branson, MO and Baby-Boy Overland (due in October) of Polk City; brothers-in-law, Richard Meyers of Underhill, VT and Wayne (Kay) Kono of Newton; plus a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends. Her very special puppy dog, Sadie, also survives.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

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