Fred Belay

1941 - 2026

Fred Belay

January 14, 1941 - March 14, 2026

Fred Anthony Belay, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, passed away on March 14, 2026.

Fred was born on January 14, 1941, in Virginia, Minnesota, to Fred Lawrence Belay and Florence Rose (Lanari) Belay. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1959 and Virginia Junior College in 1961. He continued his education at St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, earning a bachelor's degree in mathematics education in 1963, and later received his master's degree from the University of South Carolina in 1967. Fred dedicated his career to education, teaching mathematics at technical colleges in Wisconsin Rapids and Eau Claire, as well as the University of Wisconsin-Superior, the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and Mount Senario College in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. He was deeply involved in the Town of Union, serving as a board member, town chairman, and member of the Parks Commission. He was also a member of the Eau Claire Male Chorus. He especially enjoyed fishing, tending to his apple orchard, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Fred married Lucille (Mariani) Belay in 1965, and together they raised two children, Catherine (David) Farley and Anthony (Jennifer Saggan) Belay. In 1993, he married Eileen Emberson.

He is survived by his wife, Eileen Emberson: his children, Catherine (David) Farley and Anthony (Jennifer Saggan) Belay; step-children, Mark (Deborah) Emberson and Michael (Missy) Emberson: sister, Margaret (John) Pecarina; grandchildren, Thomas (Katlyn) Farley, Benjamin (Genevieve) Farley, Samantha (Scott) Pietruniak, Michelle (Martin) Shanks, and Michael Belay; great-grandchildren, Madilynn, Olivia, Amelia, Leighton, and Tyson; step-great-grandchildren, Anna, Ava, Andrew, Mia, and Ty; and nieces and nephews, Martin (Tui) Pecarina, John (Marcela) Pecarina, and Julie (Curtis) Flusche. He was preceded in death by, his parents, Fred Lawrence Belay and Florence Rose (Lanari) Belay; his former wife, Lucille Belay; and his sister, Marilyn Belay.

A private burial will take place in Virginia, Minnesota, at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral and Cremation Services. Online condolences for Fred's family may be left at www.lenmarkfh.com.