William J. "Bill" Fenske

William (Bill) Fenske, 91, a life-long resident of New Ulm, passed away on December 17, 2025, at New Ulm Medical Center.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 11am on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church with father Jerry Meidl officiating. Burial will follow in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery.

A visitation will be held from 4-7pm on Friday, December 26, 2025 at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – NORTH chapel and will continue from 10-11am on Saturday at church, prior to mass.

To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org

Bill was born on May 8, 1934, in New Ulm, MN. Bill was the only child of Egbert (Bert) and Edna (Polly) Fenske. He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Ashley Elizabeth Wass.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife Mary Lou (Schmitz) Fenske, with whom he shared 69 years of marriage. Bill is lovingly remembered by his four children: Jeff (Caren) Fenske; Toni (Tom) Breu; Kimberly (Glen) Wass; and Scott (Mary) Fenske. He also leaves behind 8 grandchildren (Amanda, Nicholas, Rachel, Lisa, Leslie, Michael, Kate, & Justin) and 4 great-grandchildren (Madilynn, Nash, Arlo, & Ava).

Bill married his high school sweetheart at Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm on June 30, 1956. The couple lived in New Ulm until Bill joined the United States Air Force and was stationed in Colorado for two years. Upon discharge from the Air Force, he and Mary Lou returned to New Ulm. He worked full-time at State Bond & Mortgage Co. before working for General Trading. He also worked part-time for Minnesota Valley Funeral Home and spent 14 years working at Runnings.

Bill was an active participant in all of his children and grandchildren's many activities – as a coach, scout leader, and enthusiastic fan in the stands. His family could count on seeing his smiling face in the crowd. We learned to thank him for his support by indulging him in his love of sweet treats. He will be missed.

Bill was active throughout his life. Bill was a single-digit handicap golfer who had two holes-in-one and as a bowler, he achieved membership in the New Ulm Bowling Hall of Fame. He looked forward to spending his time every fall duck hunting at Swan Lake with family and friends. At the bowling alley and on the golf course is where you'd find him later in life. Bill never turned down an opportunity to go bowling or golfing, especially with his family. He also enjoyed going for walks and having coffee in the mornings at McDonalds.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the NUACS Capital Campaign or The Way of the Cross.

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