Robert (Bob) A. Fellenz, age 86, moved into his new life Friday, November 9, 2018. He was born February 5, 1932, in West Bend, WI to Art and Veronica Rinzel Fellenz. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from St. Paul Seminary in Minnesota. He served as pastor and Assistant Superintendent of Education in the Diocese of Green Bay. On May 7, 1969, he married Mary C. Brom. After completing his Ph.D. in Adult Education at the University of Wyoming, the family moved to Texas to teach at TAMU where Bob ran workshops and classes across the state and developed an Adult Ed Program. He was proud of his A&M Distinguished Teaching award. After teaching for 16 years in Texas, he transferred to the MSU system where he taught in Bozeman and Great Falls before retiring in 1997.
Bob took great pleasure in planting seeds, both in the garden and in people, and encouraging them to grow. He was a storyteller, teacher, researcher, fisherman, Packer’s fan, and a good sport. Bob had an adventurous spirit and let nothing stop him. He could be seen going down a sled hill in his seventies and on the back of a horse at age eighty with a big smile on his face. Bob deeply loved his wife, daughters, granddaughters, family, friends, students, caregivers, and community. Bob will be remembered as a font of wisdom, a loving patriarch, an exceptional teacher and overall a person of kindness,
He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters, Katie (Chris) Catlett of Bozeman and Margie (Jim) Phillips of Canby, OR; brothers, Dick (Margee) Fellenz of Springfield, VT, Peter (Cathy) Fellenz of Kennebunkport, ME, and Paul (Kathy) Fellenz of Neenah, WI; granddaughters, Ellie and Rosie Phillips and Mary and Becky Catlett; and numerous family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Veronica, and sisters, Mary Louise Hanson and Mary Ann Fellenz.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at Resurrection University Catholic Parish of Bozeman on Monday, December 3. A musical prelude will begin at 4:30 P.M., with Funeral Mass at 5:00 P.M. and a reception to follow.
We are grateful from the bottom of our hearts for all the loving care Bob received. Dr. Herring and Dr. McCahan and their nursing staff kept Bob mobile and in comfort for many years. Incredible personal, compassionate care was always there for Bob at the Infusion Center, the Wound Clinic, the Highgate Chalet, and Frontier Home Health and Hospice. You were a part of Bob’s story and our family will never forget the personal gifts and support each of you brought us at this chapter in our lives.
Please direct memorials to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank or charity of your choice.
Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com
