Rev. Donald D. Fenner

With sadness we announce the passing of Reverend Donald Dean Fenner. We are grateful for the many years of life. Don’s extraordinary faith, quick wit, and gracious spirit touched countless lives. He was born April 25,1929 and died peacefully at his home in Green Bay on July 31, 2026.

Don was raised on his family's dairy farm in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where the values of hard work, family, and faith shaped his character and guided his life. He graduated from Fond du Lac Goodrich High School; North Central College, Naperville, IL; and the Evangelical Theological Seminary, Naperville IL. He entered United Methodist Ministry in the Wisconsin Conference (EUB) in 1949 serving ministerial appointments at Horicon-Juneau; Madison; Racine; NE District Superintendent; Waukesha; and Janesville. He retired to Fish Creek WI in 1992 and lived there for 25 years. During this time he enjoyed spending many seasons working the front desk at Gordon Lodge and making maple syrup in the spring.

Don embodied a servant-leader style of ministry throughout his life. In his later years, while living in Green Bay, Don found joy in leading a Bible Study for neighbors in his apartment complex. He was known for his humor, compassion, and genuine care for others, always treating people with dignity and respect as he sought to make disciples of Jesus Christ. In reflecting upon what made him so unique is noting his response to this question from a neighbor, “How do you stay kind to people who don’t like you?” His response, “Their behavior is a reflection of their character …not permission to lose mine.”

Don was married to his soulmate Norma Oppedahl Fenner for nearly seventy years. Together, they found joy in God’s creation - visiting gardens, admiring flowers, watching birds, appreciating the beauty of the natural world, and traveling. But what was most important was their family. They intentionally invested in each member of the family, creating a home where love, joy, and each person's well-being were cherished. This included playing games (especially “Hand and Foot”) as a must event during many family gatherings.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Norma (Oppedahl) Fenner, his parents Edward and Ada (Zimmerman) Fenner; his brother Richard (Gertrude) Fenner. He is survived by three children Bruce (Christine) Fenner, Caroline (Stephen) Polster, Kristine (Kent) Ingram; five grandchildren, Sarah (René) Valencia, Rachel (Peder) Blomker. Jeffrey (Stephanie) Ingram, Erin (Jesse) Curry, Rebekah (Grant) Walrod and two great-grandchildren Jasnen Valencia and Avery Walrod and nieces and nephews.

A private celebration of life for family and friends will be held at a later date. The family appreciates your thoughts and prayers during this time.

Memorial gifts may be given in the name of Donald and Norma Fenner to Bellin College, Attn: Advancement, 3201 Eaton Road, Green Bay WI 54311 www.bellincollege.edu/support/online-donations/ Don and Norma Fenner endowed scholarship