Donald Gene Fiene passed away peacefully at his home on January 23, 2017, surrounded by his family following a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. He was born on December 6, 1935 in Mauston, Wisconsin to Lawrence and Lucille (Dwyer) Fiene. He graduated from Mauston High School in 1953. Following high school, he attended technical school in LaCrosse, then enlisted in the US Army where he served in Germany during the Cold War.
Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he married Janet J Stiefvater on April 25, 1959 in Greenwood, Wisconsin. Don and Jan raised their family in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.
He worked for CUNA as a linotype operator for over 30 years, retiring in 1996. Don and Jan travelled the United States, enjoying their retirement and eventually settling in Adams, Wisconsin. They also made a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Germany to attend a Stiefvater family reunion.
Don was an avid reader, movie buff, and outdoorsman. He was an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Adams, the Knights of Columbus and the VFW Post 6279. He volunteered his time and talents to these organizations whenever he could. He was a founding member of the North Bristol Sportsman’s Club where he served as president, secretary, board member and Chief Bingo Caller and Joke Teller for a number of years.
Don is survived by his wife of 57 years, Janet, his children, Steve (Kay) Fiene of Montreal, Teri (Dan) Mueller of Poynette, Mark (Joan) Fiene of Rio, Paul (Lori) Fiene of Tomahawk, three granddaughters, Robyn Mueller of Madison, Erika (Sean Krammer) Mueller of Lodi, and Misty Pilger of Madison. He is further survived by a brother-in-law, Thomas Stiefvater of Arkdale, and a sister-in-law, Mary Fiene of Prairie Du Sac.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Clayton Fiene and Harlin Fiene; sister, Karen Wright; and mother-in-law, Geneva Rogillio.
He was a man of undying love for his family and friends, a wonderful storyteller with a great sense of humor and a generous soul, and a man with a heart of gold. He will be missed dearly by his family, friends, and those he touched through his generous volunteering.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 807 W. Lake St. Friendship, WI on Monday, January 30, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will be held at Roseberry’s Funeral Home, 512 Main St. Friendship, WI 53934 on Sunday, January 29, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and again at church from 12:00 noon until the time of mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Friendship or to the American Cancer Society.
à Marije: bedankt vooR je comment en je prachtige krijttekening (ook anderen vinden dat, lees maar de andere commentsà Fotorantje: bedankt voor je hopgevende leuke comment!à AA: bedankt om me zo'n toekomst te wensen, na jaren van ellendemag dzt eraan komen!à christiene: bedankt voor jouw kleurrijke opmerking.en inderddad marije is en echte kunstenares in haar krkeeteijningtn!!!
Dear Steve and the Entire Fiene Family,
Your Dad was one of the kindest men I’ve ever known. He was always ready to help someone in need and quick to make a joke when things went south. I’ll never forget all the times he took us hunting up in Babcock and trap shooting at the Sportsman Club. I can still see his smiling face when he and Jan came to Gainesville for a visit during their retirement — such kind people these Fiene’s!!!. Please know that the pain you feel is shared by many. Brian and Luann McGonigle
We are sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Steve, We send our special thoughts and our Deepest Sympathy to you and your family. Steve I’m sure you made your Father proud with your career in the Military. May the Lord look down upon your family and help to ease your pain in this time of need.
John and Tanis Schiess
Dearest Jan and family, so sorry to hear about Don passing, he fought a very courageous battle, know that he is in a better place and in no more pain, up there in heaven telling his stories.
Jan, I am so sorry to hear about Don, I loved talking to him about the family. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
God bless.
Deepest sympathy to you, Jan, and your family. Remember working with Don at CUNA…..always helpful and kind. An added bonus was when we connected again while we were at our cabin in Dellwood. Know the pain you feel right now as I lost Bill a year and a half ago. it never goes away but does ease with time.
I mourn the loss of a kind and decent man who made Windsor St. a good place to live. My folks deeply appreciated your friendship. I wish you comfort and peace in the days ahead.
Thoughts and prayers to all of you!! Don was such a wonderful man and very outgoing, even after Jan retired they would stop in to see who was still working at Walmart to talk to, and as always he was so cheerful!! My heart goes out to you Jan, as I know how much you loved him!! Thinking of all of you!! Paul your dad was a wonderful man!!
you are in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss his quiet, soft, generous, and funny heart and soul. Jan, the love of your life, cherish the memories and they will become your treasures.
Jan & family! I’m so sorry on your loss. I always remember your children playing with
ours at the park. Don is in my prayers.
Jan and Family, I was saddened to hear of Don’s passing. I have such cherished memories of conversations at the sportsman club and the annual New Year’s Eve euchre card games. Don always had a story to tell and was quick with a joke. I’m so thankful he was a part of my life. I am sorry for your lose.
Jan and family, saddened to learn of Don’s passing. He was always such a joy to visit with and have lots of good memories through the years. Condolences to all of you and may Don rest in peace.
John & Janese Walter
We are so sorry to hear about your dad, Paul. We will keep you and Lori and your family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Our deepest condolences to the Fiene family and friends. May Mr. Fiene Rest In Peace in the arms of Jesus and may those left behind find comfort that He is with his Lord and Savior in Paradise now.
Jan and family. It was great knowing your family when living in sun prairie. My sympathy to your family.
Sincere sympathy & prayers to all . Don’s obituary is one that many should hope for. May you be blessed with wonderful memories and healing peace over time.
To Aunt Jan and our Cousins, we send our heartfelt sympathy. Uncle Pink was a fierce warrior in his fight against cancer. We admired his quiet strength and sense of humor. Love and blessings to our dear family.
Jan & Family,
So sad to hear of Don’s passing. Sympathy send to all of you. Don is at peace now and no more suffering.
We were so fortunate to become friends with Jan and Don in the last few years. Blessings to all of you.
I am so sorry about your father. It is always a tough thing to go through. It was nice to know that my Dad and step Mom thought it was so nice to meet your parents when they moved to Adams. Funny how you move away and then run into neighbors from before. They enjoyed visiting with them.
My prayers go out to your family during this time of grief.
My love & prayers to all the family. Sorry I can’t be with you in person, but I will be there in spirit. May he rest in peace.
Aunt Peg
We are so sorry to hear of your loss and want to send our most sincere thoughts and prayers to the entire family. Will forever miss his friendship and love for conversation. The courage and strength in him is reflected in his wonderful family. We share your sorrow and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
To the extended Fiene Family (especially our Aunt Jan and Fiene cousins):
The California Stiefvaters/Murphys and Maxcys share your loss. We are thinking of you all. We too will miss Uncle Don. He was a kind and gentle man, who put up a good fight against a terrible disease. Our dad Buzz thought highly of Uncle Don. Thank you Fienes for sharing Uncle Don.
Mark Stiefvater
I’m so sorry for the loss of your father. It’s never easy but after a hard fought battle it’s time to rest. God bless your family.
Sending my love and prayers to Jan and family. Will miss one of my favorite cousins. Loved his story telling and kind heart. Blessings, Alice Weith
To the family, my condolences to all. I remember Don as bingo caller and neighbors to my sister. i graduated with Mark and knew of his siblings through my sister. Rest in peace Don an God bless to all.