Donald Richard Fenske
Friday, May 22, 1931
Date of Death:
Saturday, March 11, 2023
Age:
91 years old
Visitation
Date: Saturday March 18, 2023
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Funeral Service
Date: Saturday March 18, 2023
Time: 3:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Grandview Memorial Gardens [ view map ]
Live Steam
To view a live stream of the funeral service please click the following link:
https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY3OTA5NTExMTI0MTU5OCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==
Friday, May 22, 1931
Date of Death:
Saturday, March 11, 2023
Age:
91 years old
Friday, May 22, 1931
Date of Death:
Saturday, March 11, 2023
Age:
91 years old
Donald Richard Fenske
Donald Richard Fenske, 91, died March 11, 2023 at Arbor Garden Place in Eyota.
Don was born May 22, 1931 in Rochester to Martin and Virginia Fenske from Spring Valley, MN. Don married Eloda Hofschulte, May 31, 1952, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Rochester. They had four daughters: Michele (Dan) Kruger, Theresa Fenske, Jacqueline Fenske, Jane (Rex) Lisk. They were grandparents to 10 with an additional 7 great-grandchildren.
Don received his diploma from Lourdes High School. He served in the navy from 1949 – 1951. When he returned from the service, he became a bartender at the Kahler Hotel, then promoted to Beverage Manager, until he became co-owner (with 2 others) of the Skyways Airport Restaurant & Condor Lounge. After this venture, he returned to the Kahler Hotel as Beverage Manager/Buyer and received his MN realtor license.
In retirement, Don and Eloda retired to the farm in Spring Valley to raise Arabian horses. Don enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and snowmobiling. He was passionate about winemaking and had an impressive wine collection and wine room. In later years, Don and Eloda moved back to Rochester.
Eloda (beloved wife of almost 71 years), a brother, Wayne Fenske, and sister, Cleo Lee, survive him.
Don’s parents Martin and Virginia Fenske and abrother, David, preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 2023 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service in the River Park Chapel. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester. Luncheon will be served in the dining room after the service.
To view a live stream of the funeral service, please click here.
Condolences
The family of Donald Richard Fenske has received the following condolences.
We are so sorry to hear of Don's passing. We purchased their farm in Spring Valley in 1998 when Don & Eloda moved to Rochester. The room where Don stored his wine is still referred to as the "wine room" although it's now storing Christmas decorations. He loved coming to visit us to see how we took care of the place, gather with the neighbor guys at his shed on top the hill in the walnut tree grove and have a beer or two & just reminisce about the old days.
Great memories...Such a sweet man! Hugs to Eloda & daughters too!
I'm so sorry to read of Don's passing. I rented from Don and Eloda for nine years in the late '80s and early 90s. On a bitterly cold night, Don volunteered to keep starting my car during the night so it would start the next morning. My heartfelt condolences to Eloda and the daughters. Take care, Craig
Our sincere sympathies go out to Eloda and family on the passing of Don. Don was a family friend of my parents(Paul and Phebe Coats) and co-worker with my dad at the Kahler Hotel. We so appreciated Don and Eloda’s assistance in the early years of my business, even letting me store bin materials on their farm. Many memories of your mentorship to me. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Eloda.
Mike and Diana Coats
We are sorry for your loss. My husband worked with Don at the Kahler in the late 70’s early 80’s. Very nice person.