Arneida “Neen” Colleen Fosness Greenberg
Arneida “Neen” Colleen (Fosness) Greenberg, 88, Orange County, Calif., passed away peacefully from complications of a stroke Sunday, June 17, 2018, after having just celebrated her Hawaiian-themed 88th birthday. A private family funeral will be held July 31, at 1 p.m. in Kona, Hawaii. At her request, the family will scatter her ashes with those of her beloved late husband, “Papa” Hank, near the spot where they were married. McCormick Mortuary Services, Laguna Woods, Calif., is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be considered to the World Wildlife Foundation, or you can honor her memory by performing an act of kindness for someone less fortunate.
Arneida was born June 7, 1930 in Iowa. Her family moved to Lake Mills when she was a young girl and her mother, Bernet Cox (Isakson), was well-known in the community, including their beloved Trinity Lutheran Church.
Arneida received her teaching credentials from Iowa Teachers College, and although she was a firm teacher, she was loved by her students.
In 1953, she married Dr. Robert Fagen in Minneapolis, Minn., and shortly after they moved to Los Angeles, Calif.
Arneida retired from teaching to become a fantastic full-time mom of three, and after her children were grown, she resumed teaching the second grade at the St. Jerome School, Los Angeles, for many years. She later received a secondary teaching credential from Dominquez Hills University, Los Angeles.
Arneida had boundless energy and endless love. In her many years, there was often a child sitting at her kitchen table pouring their heart out over homemade brownies.
A new chapter began when Arneida married Hank “Papa” Greenberg and moved to Orange County, Calif. Although fully retired from teaching, Arneida volunteered as a tutor at several schools in the area. Her family was soon complete with the addition of four granddaughters, whom she taught a love for the arts, fashion, and baking. Arneida was a devoted “Gram Gram” known for her famous homemade lasagna, Norwegian Kringla cookies and chocolate mud pie.
Her family and friends remember Arneida for her limitless kindness and warmth, and her ability to make everyone feel right at home. Arneida loved spending time with her friends and family in both Lake Mills and California, with some friendships spanning over 60 years.
Arneida is survived by her loving family, brother, Roger Fosness, of Minnesota; children: Fran (William) Bennett, Newport Beach, Calif.; Richard (Debbie) Fagen, Altadena Calif.; and David (Blanca) Fagen, Ensenada (Mexico) and Orange County, Calif.; and granddaughters: Karly Bennett, Jessica and Alexa Fagen, and Camilla Fagen.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Burnet and Leonard Fosness; husbands, Dr. Robert Fagen and Harold “Hank” Greenberg; brothers; Harland Fosness and Darus Fosness; and sister, Mardell Fosness.
