Name: Visitation for Donald Sylvester Fiegen
Start: 2023-06-28T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-06-29T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Schumacher Kish Funeral Home

Donald Sylvester Fiegen

Donald Sylvester Fiegen, 90, formerly of La Crescent, MN, died June 18, 2023, at Bethany St. Joseph Care Center in La Crosse. He was born on November 16, 1932, to Sylvester and Agnes (Bowar) Fiegen in Dell Rapids, SD. After serving as a mechanic for the US Navy during the Korean War, he married Marlene Pierret of Garretson, SD, on October 6, 1956. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering while starting his family of three boys, Mark, Greg and Brian, and running a small business. In 1965, Don moved his family to La Crescent to start a career at The Trane Company. Over 30 years, he provided a stream of ingenious solutions to manufacturing engineering challenges. He extended this penchant for novel mechanical devices during his retirement by designing and building contraptions for the use and amusement of himself, his kids, and his grandkids. Don, along with Marlene, spread his love of ballroom dancing through local dance clubs, community education classes, and a dance floor in their basement.

Don's surviving family includes: his wife of 66 years; a sister; a brother-in-law; two sisters-in-law; three children; nine grandchildren (all married) and 22 great-grandchildren.

Schumacher Kish Funeral Home will hold a visitation on Wednesday, June 28, 5:00-7:00 p.m. in La Crescent, with the rosary prayed after. Reverend John L. Evans III will officiate a funeral Mass on Thursday, June 29 at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Crucifixion in La Crescent. There will be a visitation one hour before Mass and lunch in the school cafeteria after. More detailed information and a complete obituary can be found at schumacher-kish.com. The family prefers that any memorials be sent to either Bethany Saint Joseph Care Center or the Alzheimer's Association.

Donald's family would like to express their sincere thank you to the entire staff at Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center for their wonderful care and support.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by La Crosse Tribune on Jun. 24, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Fiegen

Sponsored by Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services - La Crescent.

9 Entries

Elaine George

June 20, 2025

It is hard to remember Don without remembering Don and Marlene, a wonderful dancing couple. I remember Don dancing with a sling on one arm and also Don estimating the size of a dance floor at the fairgrounds in Dubuque, Iowa (always the engineer!)

Emily (Vike) Degenhardt

July 3, 2023

I remember Don from when he lived at Eagle Crest. He was such a nice man with a great smile. Always so kind and was so proud of his family. Thinking of you all during this time.

Sandra Linhart

June 28, 2023

I had the privilege of providing some of Don's and his family's health care, as a dental hygienist. I will take a bit of credit for Don's great smile. He was always such a kind and pleasant person. When he spoke about his chosen profession, engineering, one could tell how much he enjoyed it and believed he could make a difference in this world. I am sure he did. Also, there was the obvious great love of his family whenever we discussed his son's, their wives and their grandchildren. RIP Sandy Linhart RDH

Donna Gartenmann

June 27, 2023

Our thoughts are with the family. What a remarkable man and loving uncle.

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Dr Sig Gundersen

June 26, 2023

Mrs Fiegan ( Heart Room title) , Our hearts and prayers go out to you and all your family.

Craig Paroubek

June 25, 2023

I was a welder at The Trane Co., and Donald would come out to the plant when problems arose...I like how the obituary said a "Bit Stubborn", but he sure was a good listener...Working with design engineering and listening to us to find solutions... He was the Best..Sorry for your loss!!

Natasha

June 25, 2023

Fiegen family, I am so unbelievably sorry for you loss. I cared for Don at BSJ and always loved visiting with him and Marlene. Please give Marlene my deepest condolences and sympathies.

Kendall Albrecht

June 24, 2023

To the Fiegen family:

Just wanted to express my sorrow over Don's passing. A lot of good memories from times at the Fiegen home (now 40+ years ago). I appreciated that Brian was able to make it to my mom's visitation back in 2005. I won't be able to make it up for Don's but just wanted to offer my condolences. A big hello to Brian, Greg, Mark and Marlene. Besides this difficult time I hope things are well with you and your families.

Elaine and Jeff George

June 24, 2023

We remember Don through the dance community and shared many floors with him and Marlene in La Crosse and Dubuque but never ventured as far as they did to Clear Lake. I smiled when he managed to dance with his arm in a sling...Marlene's idea I am sure...and also smiled when his engineering mind estimated the dimensions of the floor at the Dubuque County Fairgrounds. We will miss him.

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