Norman C. Fienen

Norman C. Fienen, age 96, passed away at Pheasant’s Ridge in St. Peter, MN early in the morning on Friday, August 25, 2017. After a long and faithful life, he is at peace with his Lord.

Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 29, 2017, at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Peter, with Rev. Nathan Nass officiating.  Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.  Burial will be held at a later date in Independence, KS. Memorials may be given to St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements are being handled by St. Peter Funeral Home.

Norman was born in Independence, KS, on May 28, 1921, the second of five sons of John Peter Fienen, Sr. and Maria Louise (Klintworth) Fienen. After high school and one year of college in Independence, he went to work at the revolving door plant there, transferring to Evansville, IN when the company was bought by International Steel. It was in Evansville that he met and married Carolyn Marie Becker, a Lutheran school teacher originally from Grand Island, NE, on June 15, 1945. Together they raised three sons and a daughter. For most of his time in Evansville, Norman worked as Purchasing Agent for North Star Furniture Company, moving to Louisville, KY in 1965 to work in the sales division of Gamble Brothers where he was a Senior Project Engineer.  He retired in 1983. After his beloved wife Carolyn passed away in 2002, he continued to make a home for himself and his son and daughter, John and Martha, moving to St. Peter, MN in 2008.

Throughout his life Norman was a very skilled carpenter, cabinet, and furniture craftsman, doing extensive renovations on the family homes in both Evansville and Louisville, building fine furniture for the home, constructing several grandfather clock kits, and later building chancel furniture for their own and a nearby church. As a younger man he also had a hobby of photography, developing his own film. He had a lifelong love of classical music and as a young man played the violin and cornet.  Later, when he retired, he took up the art of wood carving. He was also very active in his church, regularly serving as a council member, treasurer, elder, and lay leader. In 2004, Norman was appointed a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor. But above all, Norman was a devoted family man, caring for his wife and children. As their daughter has Down Syndrome, they never had an empty nest. Norman continued to care for her after Carolyn passed away.  In January, 2013, failing health necessitated a relocation to Pheasant’s Ridge Memory Unit from which he received excellent and loving care for the remainder of his days.

He is survived by his four children: David (Judy), John, and Martha of St. Peter/Mankato, and the Rev. Daniel (Janice) of Baldwin, MI; grandchildren: Michael (Chandra) of Madison, WI, Joel (Tammy) of North Mankato, MN, and Timothy of Big Rapids, MI; two brothers: Richard and Elmer, both of Independence, KS; one sister-in-law, Norma Jean Fienen of Amarillo, TX; and numerous nieces, nephews, and grand nieces/nephews.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Carolyn in 2002; brothers, John Jr. and Marvin; and sisters-in-law, Gladys, Betty, and Judy.