David Michael Fehrenbach

David Michael Fehrenbach, age 90, of Rhinelander (formerly of Marshfield and Crandon) joined his daughter Karen in eternal happiness in heaven on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 201 W. Blodgett Street, Marshfield, on Thursday, August 10, 2023. Visitation will start at 10 a.m. with Mass following at 11:30 a.m. Immediately following the Mass, a committal service will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery with his children serving as pallbearers. Full military honors will be conducted by American Legion Post No. 54. A luncheon will then be served at St. John’s Catholic School.

David was born on April 29, 1933, to Caroline and Eugene Fehrenbach. He attended St. John’s Catholic School for 10 years and graduated from Marshfield High School in 1951. He loved his church and as a child was an altar boy at both St. John’s Catholic Church and St. Joseph’s Hospital Chapel for many years.

As an adult David continued to serve at funeral masses and as an usher.

In 1952 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. After basic training at Lackland AF Base, he went to Shepard AF Base for training as an airplane mechanic. Upon completion of his training, he was stationed at Truax Field in Madison. In 1954 he was transferred to Ladd AFB in Fairbanks, Alaska where he completed his 4 years of active-duty service. He remained in the Air Force Reserves, completing 42 years of service in the Air Force.

After completing his active duty in the Air Force, David worked at the Marshfield Post Office as a clerk and carrier. In 1975 he was promoted to postmaster at Milladore, and in 1979 to postmaster in Crandon. He retired from Crandon Post Office on July 3, 1988.

 In 1953 he married the “love of his heart” Marilyn Rehlinger and together raised six children. On May 7, 2023, they celebrated 70 years of marriage.

David was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors with his sons at their cabin near Tripoli. Several fishing trips over the years to Canada with family and friends were also some of his favorites. His sons will always treasure these memories they have with their father.

Woodworking/carpentry was another of his hobbies, whether it be building grandfather clocks for all his children or helping them build or remodel their homes. David could fix just about anything, especially if it was mechanical.

David was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Marshfield Elks Club and the American Legion.

Dave & Marilyn spent 10 winters in Florida and together celebrated the “Year of Faith” in 2013 by enjoying a 12-day pilgrimage to Italy with Fr. Samuel Martin. They celebrated their 50th anniversary with relatives and friends as well as a trip to Hawaii.

David is survived by his wife Marilyn, four sons, Michael (Diane) of Auburndale, Mark (Linda) of Crandon, Jeff (Dawn) of Harshaw, Patrick (Lisa) of De Pere, and one daughter Jennifer (Joe) Sturzl of Rhinelander. David and Marilyn were blessed with 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. 

David is also survived by his sister Marcy Kliner of Portage, and sister-in-law Darlene (Dick) Lindquist of Newnan, Ga. Preceding David in death are his loving daughter Karen, his parents, his sisters Betty (Joseph) Varsho, Ardean (George) Hubmann, and his mother and father- in-law Anna & Frank Theurer.

David will be missed by all who knew him for his talkative, outgoing personality.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Rhinelander Compassus Hospice Services for their excellent care. (Especially Nurse Katie).

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, 715-365-4343. Everyone is invited to sign the guestbook, or leave an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com.