Donald ‘Don’ E. Fehrenbach

He was born on Nov.10, 1929 in Menominee, Mich., the son of Lando and Laura (Beland) Fehrenbach. Don was raised and attended school in Menominee. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Oct. 1, 1948 and served his country until he was honorably discharged on June 9, 1950.

Don married the former Bernice E. Harris on Sept. 29, 1954 in Menominee and she preceded him in death on May 22, 2013. Together, the couple shared 58 years of marriage and raised five children, Donald L., Elizabeth, Tim, Rick, and Lynnea.

Don moved to Escanaba as a welder on the gas pipeline. He also worked at P&H until going to work for North Central Airlines in 1955 as an airline agent. After an early retirement, he started his welding business, which evolved into Bach Mobilities, where he helped many people in the area with elevators, lifts, and stair climbers.

Don was an inventor and was full of many ideas, even while at Christian Park. His primary patent was for his golf machine. Don was a past member of the East Ludington Gallery in Escanaba where he sold his creative work.

He also was a longtime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Escanaba and designed and built many of the sacramental and symbolic furnishings in the sanctuaries. While raising his family, he worked hard at home, in the woods, and in his shop with his kids working and learning at his side. He often had to bring one or more of them along to his many projects helping others. Don made his mark in local decorative iron work, cement work, and in factories like EMP, Andex, and Sayklly’s. In his later years, he enjoyed his friends at the Donut Connection, the Senior Center meals, and riding around town on his scooter.

Don E. Fehrenbach is survived by his children, Elizabeth (Jim) Moberg of Cornell, Tim Fehrenbach of Escanaba, Rick Bach of Minnesota, and Lynnea (Ted) Lauffer of Mineral Point, Wis.; ten grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Tina Fehrenbach of Blue Ridge, Ga.; brother, Thomas (Janet) Fehrenbach of Menifee, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, Don was preceded in death by his son, Donald L. Fehrenbach; and siblings, James, Richard, John, and Jean.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 at Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Wells, Mich. with Rev. Jan LaVake officiating. Burial will take place following the services in Gardens of Rest Cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Shellie Fehrenbach for the care and compassion given to Don as a widower.

The Anderson Funeral Homes are assisting the Fehrenbach family and online condolences can be sent at ­www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.