Donald Joseph Fennell passed away on Sunday December 17, 2017 in Helena, MT surrounded by family after courageously battling cancer for over a year. Don was born in Pope County, MN on June 7, 1933; the third child and only son born to Joseph Viela and Phelia (Phyllis) Marie Fennell.
Don enlisted in the Air Force in 1955 and was stationed in the United States and Algeria. After serving in the Air Force, he joined the Montana Air National Guard and honorably retired on September 16, 1985 with the rank of Master Sergeant.
During his Air Force career Don was transferred to Great Falls, MT where he married Phyllis Olson on September 7, 1957. The couple’s only child, Twila was born in 1960. Together the family enjoyed camping trips and many hours on the water fishing and skiing. Don and Phyllis divorced in 1974.
In 1975 Don married his high school sweetheart Dorothy Bieringer and eventually moved back to Minnesota where the couple lived on Little Sand Lake for over 30 years. There he could follow his passion for fishing every day; even during those frigid MN winter days you could find him nice and warm on the lake in his deluxe ice house.
Don was an accomplished bowler achieving three 300 games, several state titles, and induction into the Montana Bowling Hall of Fame. Don was an avid Barber Shopper, sharing his beautiful bass voice in Montana and Minnesota, and singing in church choirs with his bride. Don and Dot also enjoyed square dancing. During his lifetime he was a member of the Elks, American Legion, Walleyes Unlimited, and Knights of Columbus.
Don was best known for his generous spirit, compassion, sense of humor, and love of his family.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, oldest sister Millicent, and first wife Phyllis. Survivors include his wife Dorothy of Sauk Centre, MN, sister Dorothy (Norman) Winter of Medora, ND, daughter Twila (Bryan) Costigan of Helena, MT, and numerous nephews and nieces.
Don loved his Catholic faith and was a member of several parishes in Minnesota and Montana. Memorials can be made to Catholic Social Services of Montana, PO Box 907, Helena, MT 59624.
Don’s Funeral Vigil will be held Thursday June 28, 2018 at 5pm and Funeral Mass Friday June 29, 2018 at 10am at St. Peter’s Catholic Church (305 5th St. West) in Park Rapids, MN. A reception at his home will follow the Mass. Burial in Sauk Centre, MN and a memorial service in Helena, MT will be held at a later date.
Service Schedule
Vigil
5:00 p.m.
Thursday June 28, 2018
St Peter's Catholic Church
305 5th Street West
Park Rapids, MN
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Friday June 29, 2018
St Peter's Catholic Church
305 5th Street West
Park Rapids, MN
Service Schedule
Vigil
5:00 p.m.
Thursday June 28, 2018
St Peter's Catholic Church
305 5th Street West
Park Rapids, MN
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Friday June 29, 2018
St Peter's Catholic Church
305 5th Street West
Park Rapids, MN
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Jon K Rein says
Greatest Fisherman ever.My first fishing from a boat was with him also fishing for Crappies at a pond east of Great Falls.5 gallon bucket full. A good friend and co worker
Jon K Rein says
Best of the Best A very good friend
Steve Lyczewski says
Totally agree with Jon. Many buckets of crappies and walleye.
He also made the best filet knives. Don also had the smoothest bowling approach ever. A great friend who will be missed dearly.
Ed White says
Don was one of the nicest guys I knew. Always a Happy fellow and good friend. My condolences to the family.
Twila Costigan says
He was my GREAT GRANDPA and if you ever wanted an unused 2 dollar bill you could just go to him and he was the best great grandpa I ever had. LOVE: Evan
Cal Moe says
I had a lot of good times singing barbershop with Don and he was a big part of my life.
Bob Bateman says
I got to know Don and Dorothy through Barbershop singing and enjoyed their company immensely. As I got to know Don better we both realized that we shared a passion for fishing. I remember many great conversations about fishing and we also spent a couple days on the lake together. Montana was also a common place in our lives as I grew up there and Don had spent time there. Rest in peace my friend and I hope the trout always bite for you.
Joy Horejsi says
Don and Dottie were friends of ours in Park Rapids. Don sang in our church choir and was a cantor at St. Peter’s church when I was director of music. The uncanny thing was that we lived about a block from each other in Great Falls but didn’t meet until we both moved to Park Rapids. We will miss him at St. Peter’s and we will miss his sense of humor and friendship. Our sympathy to his family and may he rest in peace. Roman and Joy Horejsi
MarkJ.VonBank says
6/12/’18 To Dottie and families and friends of Don, He was a great person and very kind friend. I will miss his smile and his laughter and love of life and the Good Lord. His smile was as Big as Great Falls, Montana and his Heart as wonderful as Park Rapids, Minnesota. May He Rest in the Good Lords Home in Heaven and it is comforting to know he lived a wonderful and great life. His family, friends and the Good Lord were very important to him. He is smiling down from heaven with a great big “Hello- How are Ya?”. My heartfelt prayers and thoughts to you all who mourn his life but will cherish the smiles, laughter, his singing and his friendliness. With Gods Love and Peace, Mark J.VonBank- Park Rapids, Minnesota.
Sue Harpine says
I want to say I am so sorry for your loss Twila and family. I grew up with Twila and Don was the one who taught me to waterski. We went camping to lake Mary Ronan usually and to Placid once. I have very fond memories.
Dave (Lefty) Anderson says
Many great memories of Don, especially singing Barbershop. I directed the Park Rapids Barbershoppers for 10 years and Don was my go-to guy in the Bass section. Also sang in a chapter quartet with Don for a number of years. A great guy, a great voice and was very proud to call him my friend. I sure hope he brought a pitch pipe with him in heaven.
Bonnie Larsen says
My late husband, Roger K. Larsen was also in the MANG. I remember Don and Rog talking fishing stories and we all having a beer with Don. Those were the best times. My deepest sympathy to Mrs. in the loss of her soul mate and to the families. Such a tough part of life.
Keith B Fahey says
In the early summer of 1965 five of us from Great Falls decided to enter a bowling tournament at Karen Lanes in Pocatello, Idaho. I think Little’s Lanes sponsored us, and I think we drove down in one car. In the team event he stepped up in the tenth with nine strikes in a row. He got the tenth. And the eleventh. As the ball curved into the pocket for the twelfth, he went to his knees to pull the string. Wham! A perfect strike. He turned, still on his knees, and I was first to greet and share joy, possibly the greatest smile I have ever seen. John Olson, team member, says he was first. Either way, we shared Don’s beautiful smile.
Don was about ten years older. As a boy I was also ring-bearer at his wedding to Phyllis. Somehow Phyllis had become friends with my mom, and that led to the ring-bearer honor. I was thrilled when we met again later in Little’s Lanes. We became teammates. I fancied myself a better bowler, but his consistently higher average (around 193 to my 185), and his 300s spoke for themselves — a perfection I never achieved.
He had such a great laugh, a joy that brings other highlight memories to mind. I always hoped we could meet again, if only to tell him he’s never far from mind. So sorry our joyous reunion will never happen …
PS: Years later while driving through Pocatello I decided to revisit Karen Lanes, and saw they had an honor roll list for 300 bowlers. They misspelled Don’s name. I tried to tell the clerk, but he just gave an indifferent grunt.