Robert W. Fenske

Robert W. Fenske, 75, passed away Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota. He was born January 20, 1947, to Robert W. and Margaret Weber Fenske.

Bob attended Wisconsin Dells High School, where he was a successful athlete competing in football, basketball, and track before going on to play football at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, which was where he met his wife of 52 years, Carolyn Happel.

Bob taught Industrial Arts in the Ellsworth Public Schools, alongside his wife, who also taught at the High School, from 1972 until both their retirements in 2002 when they went on to their “second career” of farming.

Bob loved working on the farm, where he was constantly drumming up new ideas, tinkering with equipment, or rebuilding something. Building with any type of material, but especially wood, continued to be a passion of his throughout the years.

Bob loved helping his neighbors and friends and would drop whatever he was doing if someone needed assistance. He was beyond proud of his children, adored his grandchildren, and did not go many days without seeing or talking with all of them.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, daughter, Karen (Chris Harmon), son, Rob (Abbey Butler), his grandchildren: Will, Wyatt, and Charlotte Fenske, a sister, two brothers-in-law, a sister-in-law, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, and a sister-in-law.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 4th from 3pm – 7pm at the Ellsworth Rod & Gun Club. Memorial donations may be directed to the Hancock Masonic Lodge #229 where Bob was a long-standing member or to the Easter Seals of Wisconsin, which provided Bob many resources after the loss of his arm and for which he was forever grateful. Addresses for each are as follows: Hancock Masonic Lodge #229, 400 High Point Dr., Ellsworth, WI 54011 and Easter Seals Wisconsin, 8001 Excelsior Dr., Suite 200, Madison, WI 53717.