Rev. Raymond W. Fechner, 93, (formerly of Des Moines, IA and Fond du Lac, WI) died at Ridgewood Care Center on Sunday, May 16, 2010.
He was born in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada on May 29, 1916 to the late Rev. Walter and Minnie (nee: Fickenscher) Fechner. On November 21, 1940, he married the former Dorothy Louise Lippmann at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chicago.
A graduate from St. Louis Seminary, Rev. Fechner was ordained in 1940. After his ordination he was called to various churches in Illinois and Iowa, including; St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chicago, Faith Lutheran Church in Oak Lawn, IL and Trinity Lutheran Churches in Conroy, IA and Vinton, IA. However, in 1960 he was called and served at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Des Moines for 21 years. Following his retirement he served as a visitation pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Des Moines from 1982-2000. In 2000, he and Mrs. Fechner moved to Fond du Lac, WI. They settled in Racine in 2006, attending Holy Cross Lutheran Church with his daughter and son-in-law.
Rev. Fechner had numerous interests which included golf, reading and traveling. He especially enjoyed his trips to the Holy Land where he served as a tour guide.
In addition to his wife, Dorothy, his survivors include his children, Karen (Robert) Armbrecht of Racine, Rev. David (Carole) Fechner of Claremont, MN, Deborah Drain of Tulsa, OK, Andrea (Fred) Larson of Phoenix, AZ, Michele (Rick) Meewes of Anthem, AZ; grandchildren, Timothy (Robin) Armbrecht, Matthew (Natalia) Armbrecht, Nathan (Maria) Armbrecht, Benjamin (Wendy) Fechner, Jane (Brian) Clarke, Joshua (Jamie) Fechner, Christa (Marty) Leary, Kevin and Kristopher Drain, Daniel (Julia) Swanson, Michael and Nicole Meewes; 13 great grandchildren, brother, Dr. Gilbert (Maxine) Fechner of Fort Collins, CO, sisters-in-law, Carol (Paul) Bussian of Spring Hill, FL, Carol (Garvin) Shields of Fond du Lac, WI; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Rev. Fechner was preceded in death by his grandson, Andrew Armbrecht in 1967; brothers, Ervin (Ruth) Fechner and Walter Fechner and sisters-in-law, Ruth (Erwin) Kohler and Louise (Howard) Schewe.
Family and friends are invited to meet at Holy Cross Lutheran Church (3350 Lathrop Ave. in Racine) on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. for the celebration of Rev. Fechner’s life and funeral service with Rev. Karl Luchterhand officiating. There will be a visitation in the church from 10-12. A private burial will take place at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery in Conroy, IA. Memorials have been suggested to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis (801 Seminary Place St Louis, MO 63105-3196)
A very special thank you to Ridgewood Care Center 1 West for the loving care they provided fro our husband, father and grandfather. May God bless you.
Amy & Morgen Kottke says
Dorothy,
I am so sorry to hear about Pastor Fechner’s passing. May God comfort you at this time. All Our Love, Amy & Morgen
Renee Emma says
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Uncle Ray was a very special man!
Rev. & Mrs. Clarke Frederick says
Our prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of your loved one. Heaven has gained a faithful sevant of the Lord.
Paul Kellogg says
Mrs. Fechner–I don’t know if you remember me amongst all of the North High alumni that you punched lunch tickets for. I was (and am) a friend of Michele’s. I have wonderful memories of your family when I was growing up, and I am so sorry to hear of the Revernend’s passing. I pray that you are doing as well as possible and know that there are people all over the United States that share in your grief. God bless, Paul Kellogg
Tim Armbrecht says
Praise the Lord for the life of this truly remarkable man and servant! I can’t help but think of all the lives the Lord has touched through this one man – to God be all the glory!
Diane (Appell) Sexton says
What great memories I have of Pastor Ray! He was always so funny and positive and had a great smile. Memories of hanging with Michele in your home will always stay with me!! My thoughts and prayers are with you all and I wish I could be there, remembering and celebrating his remarkable life!
Love to all,
Diane
Diane (Peckham) Tellis says
Michele I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I have many fond memories of you and your family during our high school years. Rev. Fechner married my husband Blaine and I almost 32 years ago. God bless you and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love to all, Diane
Jennifer Fechner says
Wow! Uncle Ray was the best. I always remember him during visits in Colorado, or in Chicago: “how are you, Uncle Ray?” “Oh, fat and sassy, how are you?” He really was sweet, upbeat and fun. Dear Aunt Dorothy, I think you saw some remarks I had made about remembering that car camping trip that was just you and Ray and Michelle and I. You two were so fun to be with and Ray sure reminds me of my dad (Gil). We are all thinking of you and sending big love. Enjoy heaven, Uncle Ray! I hope you had a meaningful and wonderful service for this fine man. I am also happy to hear that you appreciated the last place he lived on the earth.