William “Bill” John Fiedler, age 94 of Annandale, MN died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2023, at Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo, MN.
Bill was born to John and Marjorie (Robinson) Fiedler Oct. 12, 1929 at the home place, north of Albright’s Mill in Middleville Township.
He attended the Maple Grove country school and graduated from Howard Lake High School with the Class of 1947. He was a member of the first Laker football team, and spoke highly of that! After graduation, he and lifelong sidekick, Kenny Gausman, traveled to Texas in search of work. They returned shortly after with more stories than fortunes.
Bill was married to Irene Haggberg Dec. 20, 1952 at Elim Mission Church in Cokato by the Rev. Rod Rosengrin. Bill and Irene made their home and raised four children, on the farm in Albion Township (Shuneson Corner).
He was a family man and regularly attended recitals, concerts, plays, and numerous other sporting events. Not much was said at those events, but his smirk and chuckle were his way of sharing what he thought.
Bill was a lifelong farmer and was honored with a Century Farm Award in 2013. He took great pride in his land and animals that he cared for. He raised many litters of Springer Spaniel puppies and was proud of the bloodline dating back to England.
Bill was a member of the Wright County Historical Society, Fairhaven Mill Board, and Sylvan Cemetery board. More recently, he was a major contributor of his historical knowledge, assisting a local author, who has written books on Albright’s Mill and the lost town of Smith Lake.
He enjoyed traveling to visit friends and family throughout the Midwest, as well as, California. His chosen destination was Italy, to visit a former foreign exchange student, Alessandra Rompianesi.
Bill is survived by daughters Julie (Roger) Entinger of Anoka, Linda (Mark) Weber of Waverly, and Lori (Mark) Vandersteen of Rosemount; and son John (Debbie) Fiedler of Annandale; 12 grandchildren: Erik (Kim) Entinger, Andy (Julienne) Entinger, Luke (Jana) Entinger, and Jake (Danielle) Entinger. Erin (Kyle) Kutz, and Sam (Melissa) Weber. Clarissa (George) Trujillo, Mattie (Dan) McLaughlin, Brok (Megan) Vandersteen, and Leif (Bonny) Vandersteen. Brandon (Whitney) Fiedler and McKenzie (Matt) Ylitalo, sister Jean Carlson, and 23 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Irene, parents, two grandchildren, Zachery Vandersteen and Christopher Entinger.
Services will be held at 12 noon, Saturday, January 6, 2023 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN. Visitation prior to service starting at 10 am.