Salona Auveda Fortner, 90, of Cole Camp, passed away Tuesday, October 2, 2012, at her daughter's home in Gravios Mills.  Auveda was a mother of five, widow of W. Wayne Fortner, and long time companion to Gilbert Wilckens.

Born in Kentucky in 1922, Auveda, a true redhead, was a vivacious, loving. kind, and giving person well known around Cole Camp. She met and married her first husband and father of her children William A. Halopoff (divorced), a then WWII Army soldier, in her hometown of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, and soon relocated to Southern California. She transplanted to Cole Camp in retirement with second husband W. Wayne Fortner, also a WWII veteran, and a native Missourian (dec. 1982). She and Wayne were very active in the community helping to establish the Senior center and local pool. They were avid square dancers and gave lessons at their home East of Cole Camp, and were DJ’s at various events. After Mr. Fortner passed away, Auveda remained active in square dance and the community. She clogged, was on a bowling league, played in a kitchen band entertaining at the senior center, took up painting, and was a member of the Ozark Whirlers Square dance club in Eldon. She attended the Smithton and Cole Camp Methodist Churches, was a member of the Iris Garden Club, and the United Methodist Women’s organization. Generous with her time and talents, Auveda held a variety of offices over the years in service to her organizations, and wrote articles for publication. She enjoyed board games and travel, visiting family and friends, and going to square dance events. With companion Gilbert and family she went to Ireland, Hawaii, and cruised to Ensenada Mexico and Catalina Island.

She is survived by devoted companion Gilbert Wilckens: four loving daughters, Shelby J. Gray and husband Lance of Arnold MD, Nova J. Dunn of Gravois Mills MO, Lestie J. Contreras of Rialto CA, and Janine Greenwood of Rialto CA; daughter-in-law Liz Halopoff of West Covina CA; 10 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews; long time close friend Margaret Eckhoff of Cole Camp MO, and many others.

Auveda was preceded in death by husband W. Wayne Fortner of Cole Camp; her mother Lestie Pearl Gardner and father Forrest Gardner; 7 siblings, Claude, Louis, Ray, and Garner Gardner, Edna Price, Marie Satterfield, and Jean Dies; beloved son Jay D. Halopoff of West Covina CA; and sons-in-law Fred Greenwood of CA and Dr. Floyd E. Dunn of Gravois Mills MO.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 5, 2012, at First United Methodist Church, Cole Camp, with  Pastor Donna Nichols officiating, where the family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. until service time.  Burial will be in Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, MO.

The family suggests memorial contributions be given to the First United Methodist Church in care of the Fox Funeral Home, Cole Camp.

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