Judy Lynn (Oestenstad) Fontana, 84, passed away on October 21, 2026.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church (510 E. 1st Street, Ankeny, IA). Interment will follow the service at Ankeny Memorial Gardens (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd). A gathering to celebrate Judy’s life will be held at Mullets (617 SW 3rd St Ste 103, Ankeny, IA) after interment.

Judy was born October 17, 1942, to Riedar and Veneta Oestenstad of Fostoria, IA. Judy attended public school in Spencer, IA and graduated with the class of 1960.

After graduating from Spencer High, she attended the Mercy School of Nursing in Des Moines, where she graduated with honors. During this time, she met the love of her life and soul mate, Richard C. Fontana of Ankeny, IA. Judy and Richard were married in January of 1962. To this union, they were blessed with four children: Christopher Ricardo, Tina Marie, John Kevin and Annette Marie.

Her favorite hobbies were restoring antique furniture and older homes - doing all the painting, wallpapering, and carpentry work herself. Many of these skills self-taught, while some by observing her father Riedar, a true master carpenter. To that point, from 1996 to 2006 she operated a business in Spirit Lake, IA known as the “Finish Line.” With partner, Mary Arndt, they specialized in interior painting and wallpapering, working with several contractors and interior designers in the Lakes region. She retired in May of 2005 and moved to Winterset, Iowa.

She is survived by her three children, Christopher Ricardo of Pella, IA, John Kevin of Thorton, CO, and Annette Marie of Winterset, IA; their spouses; 7 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; her brother, Larry Oestenstad of Minnitonka, MN; and cousins, Kathy Penkert of Council Bluffs, IA and Jerry Sears of Baily, CO.

She is preceded in death by her daughter, Tina Marie; her husband, Richard, her father, Riedar Oestenstad; her mother, Veneta Blakley; and brother, Kent Oestenstad.

Full obituary pending

Mass of Christian Burial

Nov

5

Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Catholic Church

510 E. 1st St
Ankeny, Iowa 50021

10:30 AM