Delores “Dodie” B. Fenske

Obituary

Delores “Dodie” Bertina Fenske was born on September 7, 1931, in Fordville, North Dakota. She was the daughter of Emil and Edna (Soper) Carlson. Dodie was baptized as an infant on August 7, 1933, and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth on May 14, 1946, both at Fordville Lutheran Church. She received her education in Fordville and was in the Fordville High School class of 1947.

On January 2, 1947, Dodie was united in marriage to Dorn Trenda. This marriage was blessed with two children, Bonita and Douglas. They shared 33 years of marriage until Dorn passed away on March 10, 1980. On October 17, 1986, Dodie was united in marriage to Arnold Fenske. Dodie and Arnold resided in Hutchinson, and later moved to Arizona. They shared 13 years of marriage until Arnold passed away on December 5, 1999, at which time Dodie moved back to Hutchinson, MN.

Dodie started working at 12 years of age at the Fordville Creamery. For eleven years, she was a co-owner of the Drift Inn Resort on Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota. After moving to Anoka, Dodie was employed as a Die Bonder with Medtronic in Fridley, Minnesota. She retired in September 1986. After returning from Arizona, Dodie worked at Farm & Home in Hutchinson for several years. Dodie was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson and belonged to several groups through church such as assembling Faith Matters and weekly bulletins, weekly Bible Studies, helped with rummage sales, coordinated Spit & Shine, the Prayer Shawl Ministry where she made over 103 baby blankets, among many other things. She was also a lifetime member of Hospital Auxiliary.

Dodie enjoyed crocheting, playing cards, doing crafts and walking. She especially enjoyed making cookies and spending time with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.

Dodie passed away on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Ecumen in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, at the age of 94 years.

Blessed be her memory.

Dodie is survived by her:
Son, LTC (R) Douglas Trenda and his wife, Suzanne of Detroit Lakes, MN;
Daughter-in-law, Wendy Beckmann and her husband, Ell of Lewisberry, PA;
Grandchildren, Britt (Tina) Beaton, Sean (Cindy) Beaton, Douglas (Jean) Trenda, Michelle Trenda, Matthew (Danielle) Trenda, Amy (Jon) Dowd, Kimberly (Brad) Babcock, Jackie (Bill) Backen, Cory (Sherrie) Sandgren, Amanda Fenske;
Great-grandchildren, Tyler (Rebecca) Trenda, Anna (Zach) Ferguson, Natalie (Jeremiah) Callahan, Nicole Beaton, Colin, Seth and Ella Sandgren, Amy (John) Nisse, Stacy (Will) VanSambeek, Calli (Chris) Schwartz, Gustave and Susanna Beaton;
Great-great-grandchildren, Gavin Dowd, Flynn, Florence and Forrest Schwartz, Sloan VanSambeek, Elijah and Brayden Trenda;
Great-great-great-grandchildren, Piper and Wilder Trenda;
Nieces, Nephews, many other relatives and friends.

Dodie is preceded in death by her Parents, Emil and Edna Carlson: Husband, Dorn Trenda (1980), Husband, Arnold Fenske (1999); Daughter, Bonita Holt (2024); Sons-in-Law, Charles Holt, Rick Fenske; Brothers, William Carlson, Harold (Elaine) Carlson, Alvin (Sis) Carlson; Sisters, Lillian Carlson, Evelyn Fayette, Ruth Elaine Carlson (in infancy), Florence (Clarence) Bucher, Violet Umphery.