Fonna Delynn Schwien, 68, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell after battling brain cancer for several months.
Fonna was born November 6, 1957 in Plainville, Kansas. She was one of five children born to Milan and Diane (Mohler) Masters. She grew up in Natoma, Kansas and graduated from Natoma High School in 1975. Fonna went on to graduate from Colby Community College in Colby, Kansas, with an Associates Degree in Veterinary Technician.
Fonna met Stan Schwien, where she worked at the Veterinary Clinic, when he was coming in to purchase cattle supplies. They were united in marriage on April 14, 1979 in Natoma. This union was blessed with two sons, Sheldon and Scott. They made their home in Russell. Stan preceded her in death on March 12, 2020.
Fonna worked at a veterinary clinic in Hutchinson Kansas after graduating from college but in time decided she wanted to be closer to home so she returned to Russell and started working with Fred Irwin and Doc Stafford at the Veterinary Clinic there. She worked with them many years before they both retired. She then changed her career path and started helping with the family business, Master’s Oil Company in Natoma. She continued to live in Russell most of these years and helped her husband Stan on the family farm when able and managed/ maintained many rentals. She loved or maybe should say was a very awesome fixer/repair handywomen. Not sure she always loved it. After Stan’s passing and her Fathers passing she moved to Natoma where she could be closer to that business and lived with her Mother to help out. She continued to make the trips to Russell as needed to keep things in order there. She is a member of the Trinity Methodist Church of Russell. She actively served on the Russell County Fair Board for many years. She enjoyed sewing when she could find the time, but she truly loved spending time with her grandchildren and taking family vacations.
Fonna’s surviving family include her son, Scott Schwien of Salina, Kansas; mother, Diane Masters of Natoma, Kansas; sister, Coleen Dickinson of Gorham, Kansas; brothers, Brian Masters (Luella) of Burlington, Kansas, and Delwin Masters (Corinne) Natoma, Kansas; and three grandchildren, Seth Schwien, Ava Schwien and Sage Schwien.
Fonna was preceded in death by her Husband, Stanley; Son, Sheldon Schwien; Father, Milan Masters; Brother Eugene Masters, and Brother-In-Law Kirk Dickinson.
Celebration of Fonna’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, October 16, 2026, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell. A private burial of ashes will follow later. Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.