Date of Birth:
Friday, July 18, 1930
Date of Death:
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Age:
93 years old

Eloda M. Fenske

Eloda Marie Fenske, age 93, of Rochester, MN, peacefully passed away in the early morning on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Methodist Hospital, with her family at her bedside.

Eloda was born to John J. and Marleah Hofschulte in Mazeppa, MN. The family later relocated to Rochester, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents and her three sisters, Janet, Eileen, and Barbara.

Eloda married Donald R. Fenske at St. Francis Church in Rochester 71 years ago.   Don preceded her in death in March of this year. Their union was blessed with four daughters: Michele (Dan) Kruger, Theresa Fenske, Jacqueline Fenske, and Jane (Rex) Lisk. They also have ten grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Eloda graduated from Lourdes High School and began her own personal journey.  In her early years, she worked at their own drive-in restaurant and the Skyways restaurant at the Rochester airport. Later, she became a realtor/broker, operated a small home antique shop, and managed farmland as a business. She took pride in her large raspberry garden, supplying raspberries to local businesses. In retirement, Eloda and Don enjoyed their time on the farm in Spring Valley before returning to the Rochester area.

Eloda had a passion for cooking, sewing, antiquing, and gardening, and she held a deep affection for animals of all kinds. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to constantly seek ways to improve the family’s life. She supported her husband, Don, in endeavors like winemaking and raising Arabian horses on their farm and several other hobbies.  Above all, she was a dedicated and hardworking mother who placed her family at the center of her life.

Eloda found solace in her Catholic faith, actively supporting her church, and taking comfort in the knowledge that she would one day be in God’s loving hands.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 25th, at 11:00 a.m. in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, and guests are invited to gather for lunch in the dining room following the service. Eloda will be laid to rest at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester following the luncheon.

May Eloda’s memory live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.