The Fergus Falls Daily Journal

Ronald Fenno, died Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.Franklin

Ronald Gene Fenno was born in Ellendale, N.D., on Sept. 26, 1957. He was the first born of a brood of six to Robert “Bobby G” and Kathy (Huber) Fenno.

The family lived in many places as was the practice of school teachers and administrators in that era. They finally settled in Oakes, N.D., in 1974, and Ron graduated from Oakes High School in 1975.

Ron was active in many sports, and also enjoyed singing in a summer musical and barber shop quartet while a student.

Ron had a talent for functional decorating and resourceful dressing. He was an excellent listener, honest and loyal with patience, which was extremely useful in his social work career.

Ron graduated from NDSU and remained a loyal Bison fan to his dying day. He was employed at Lakeland Mental Health in Moorhead, and at Valley Lake Boys Home in Breckenridge prior to this.

Ron had two kids while married to Lynnette (Cumber) Gearman. Jessica Lanae and Jacob Wade have always been his joy and focus of life. Grandchildren blessed his life in the past few years also.

Ron was joyfully united in marriage to Melodee Rupprecht on May 7, 2011.

They made their home in Battle Lake, along Balmoral Golf Course, where they found their “little piece of heaven” here on earth.

Ron loved golfing, cooking and spending time with the “lake” friends who were an important part of his life for many years.

Ron is present in heaven with his dad, Robert Fenno and his grandparents.

He leaves a hole in the life of his wife, Melodee Fenno; his mother, Kathy Fenno-Bourne (Dick) of Oakes, N.D.; his children, Jessica Kleine (Matt) of Plymouth, Jacob Fenno (girlfriend Jenny) of Alexandria, and Shara Wallick (Justin) of Castlewood, S.D.; grandchildren, Taylor Kleine, Abigail Kleine and Titus Wallick; his siblings, Roberta “Bert” Charpentier (Marti) of Minnetonka, Kristi “Kris” Carlson (Todd) of Fargo, Robert “Bob” Fenno (Renelle) of Fargo, Kim Schmit (Doug), Oakes, N.D., and Rich Fenno (Kelly) of Fargo; numerous nieces, nephews; and his mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and step-siblings.

A memorial service is planned at 1 p.m. Friday, at Dahlstrom Funeral Home in Oakes, with visitation planned Thursday, from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent online at www.dahlstromfuneralhome.com