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Submitted: 11/13/22 • Approved: 12/1/22 • Last Updated: 12/4/22 • R274928-G274928-S3
George W. Fendrich
June 3, 1933 - June 9, 2022
George William Fendrich of Sioux Falls passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at Dougherty Hospice House on June 9, 2022.
George was born June 3, 1933, in Salem, South Dakota to George and Evelyn Fendrich. He graduated from Washington High School in 1951 and served in the US Army from 1953 to 1955 where he was stationed in Fulda, Germany. He graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1959.
George married Ursula McManus at St. Mary Catholic Church in Sioux Falls on June 13, 1959.
George started his career as an engineer at Martin Marietta in Denver, Colorado from 1959 to 1962. The family returned to Sioux Falls in 1962 when George began his career as employee No. 64 at Raven Industries as a flight operations engineer. As Raven grew, George had many roles over the next 37 years, culminating in his appointment to the position of Division Manager of Sportswear until his retirement in January of 1999.
The family spent many summer vacations in Northern Minnesota with close friends. Weekends in the summer, George and Ursula would have their family over for lunch. For the last 20 years, they spent winters at their home in Sun City Grand, Arizona. George loved to spend time in the sunshine, especially playing tennis and golf. He also loved playing bridge with his friends in Sioux Falls and Sun City Grand and vacationing in Myrtle Beach. He was an avid runner for many years and was proud of his first and only Twin Cities Marathon time of 3:46 at the age of 50.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ursula, and their 5 children - Brian (Marta) of Lakeville, MN, Steve (Lisa) of Dallas, Texas, Teresa (Vince) Purtell of Sioux Falls, Greg (Teresa) of Sioux Falls, Erin (Jeff) Reichert of Fort Collins, Colorado, and his sister Susan (Don) Kavanaugh of Spirit Lake, Idaho. George and Ursula have 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. George’s family adored him and his calm, observant spirit.
The family will have a celebration of George’s life at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in George’s name to St. Vincent De Paul, the Furniture Mission, or the charity of your choice.
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Section Oak - Plot 75
Contributed on 11/13/22 by 9kat
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Record #: 274928