Malinda E. Fennert

MALINDA ELLA FENNERT, age 94 of Waseca, died on January 28, 2016 at Colony Court Memory Care Suites in Waseca.

Born at home in rural New Richland, Minnesota on November 20, 1921, she was the daughter of William and Ella (Schlaak) Billing.  She was baptized on December 18, 1921 and confirmed August 9, 1936 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in New Richland.  Malinda attended Waseca County School District #78 and was taught by Hazel McColley.  She married Herman Steinberg on February 4, 1942 in New Richland and they were blessed with one daughter, Eileen.  Together they farmed and raised dairy cows in rural Meriden.   Following Herman’s death on January 14, 1949, Malinda moved home with her parents and worked at Billing’s grocery store in New Richland.   Malinda married August Fennert on May 31, 1952 in New Richland.  In addition to August’s son, Larry, they were blessed with three additional children, Carol, Janice and Gerald.  They farmed together near Waldorf and were members of First Lutheran Church.   August died on November 24, 1974 and in 1981, Malinda moved to Waseca.   She worked at Brown Printing Co. for 22 years before retiring.

Malinda enjoyed embroidering quilts, dish towels, baby quilts and pillow cases.  She loved playing cards and listening to polka music and belonged to Polka of A Club.  She also enjoyed flower gardening and baking.   Malinda was a member of the Waseca Area Senior Citizens and recycled cards.  She was also awarded the Waseca County Volunteer of the Year at the Waseca County Fair.   

Malinda was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca and was an active member of the Cotta Guild for many years.  She also served on the board of Lutheran Brotherhood and was an Our Gang member.  

She loved traveling to dances and other countries and went on cruises.  She had a very strong faith, loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren, celebrating birthdays and visiting people.   She had lived at Colony Court for ten years and spent the past two years at the Memory Care Suites.

She is survived by five children, Eileen (Glen) Zabel of Alexandria, Larry (Cindy) Fennert of Waldorf, Carol (Rick) McColley of New Richland, Janice (Joe) Hosch of Rochester, and Gerald “Augie” (Kristi) Fennert of Waseca; 20 grandchildren; and 24 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; three sisters and their husbands, Hazel (Raymond) Brandt, Luella (Russell) Herbst, and Hilda (George) Dobberstein; and one brother, Wallace in infancy.

Visitation will be held at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca on Sunday, January 31, 2016 from 2-6 PM and continue on Monday, one hour before services at the church.

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