Donald Fondrick

Don Fondrick, 83, died peacefully with his family and Hospice of the Red River Valley on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at home on his beloved Dead Lake.

Donald Anton Fondrick was born in Minneapolis, MN on January 5, 1941, the son of Donald and Doris (Sundgren) Fondrick.

Don will be forever a teacher and educator. He will be remembered as a protector of the lake, champion for the environment, a hunter and fisherman, and a beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother.

Don took great pride in restoring his properties on Dead Lake, Wolf Lake, and Sand Creek to their natural state. The Dead Lake property was a cow pasture when Don and Marlene first acquired it, but planting over 15,000 trees and placing dams, they returned it to its original, natural setting. The property is now a nature sanctuary with over 20 ponds where plants, trees, and wildlife thrive.

Don was the first naturalist at Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield, MN, and spent much time and effort improving the parks and community services for the City of Richfield.

Don was a member of numerous nature and wildlife groups throughout his life including the Dead Lake Association, Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited.

Surviving Don are his wife of 60 years Marlene; his sons Kyle Fondrick and Kurt (Julie) Fondrick; daughter Kimberly Jo Fondrick; grandchildren Andy (Kelsey) Fondrick, Isaac Fondrick, Alex Fondrick, Sara (Cully) Simon, and Angie Tardy; great-grandchildren Emma, Paige, Carter, and Liam; his sister Diane Fondrick; niece Lisa (Mike); nephew Chris (Sherri); and special niece Carmen.

Preceding Don in death were his parents and his grandfather Tony.

In lieu of flowers and for Don’s love of dogs, especially Labrador Retrievers that he trained and hunted with, memorials are preferred to Patriot Assistance Dogs. https://bit.ly/4eFtKgd

Don’s family encourages you to post remembrances, fun stories and photos relating to him in the comment section below.

A Celebration of Don's Life will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Woodshed Bar and Grill in Ottertail, MN.

Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, MN (218) 346-5175 www.schoenebergerfh.com

The sun has set on a life, well lived.
There is a peace that settles for Don and us.
It is a new chapter but the chapters that have been written will never die.
Take time to cry, remember, and laugh – the living need that.