John M. Fehlandt

Obituary

John Murrell Fehlandt Jr. was born on September 11, 1951, in Shakopee, Minnesota. He was the son of John Sr. and Pearl (Lenzen) Fehlandt. John was baptized as an infant on September 30, 1951, and later confirmed in his faith as a youth on April 4, 1965, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fish Lake, Minnesota. John attended Lydia Elementary School from Grades 1 – 3 in Lydia, Minnesota. He then attended school at Immanuel Lutheran School in Fish Lake from 4th to 8th grade. John graduated from Jordan High School in 1969, where he was involved in the FFA.

Following high school, John began farming full-time with his Dad in Lydia. When they moved to Glencoe in 1973, he continued farming first with his Dad and Brother, David, and then later with his Dad, his Brother, Myron, and Nephew, Nick. John moved to Millie Beneke Manor in Glencoe in August of 2023.  

Farming was John’s entire life. While he never appreciated getting up early to milk cows, he enjoyed driving the tractors – the Olivers, the Farmall Ms and Hs, and the White. He always looked forward to getting on the tractor to till the soil in the spring and to plow in the fall. He would watch the weather, as to how the rain or lack thereof would affect the crops. As farmers do, John would often get in his truck after chores were done and drive around checking on the crops, which he continued to do even after moving to town. Sometimes he would drive into Glencoe to relax with a beer at the “Happy Hour.”

Throughout the years, John enjoyed watching old westerns, listening to music of the 50s and 60s, and polka music. He liked watching sports, especially the Minnesota Twins Baseball (Byron Buxton). For a number of years, he enjoyed the companionship of his dog, Tyson. John traveled with his family throughout the Midwest and down to Florida. While he liked these trips, he would always say that he was happy to get home again. John also enjoyed going fishing every summer. John enjoyed having a good meal, whether it was chicken, ribs, or fish. He especially loved the fish from the annual New Auburn Fish Fry and requested duck for Christmas dinner every year.

John loved his family and enjoyed their visits. He would ask how everyone was doing, but wasn’t shy in telling them when it was time to leave. He liked having the house to himself again. John enjoyed watching his 10 nieces and nephews grow up and always made it a priority to attend the milestone events in their lives. When the great-nieces and great-nephews came along, he always made sure the cookie jar was full, usually with his favorite, Oreos, for when they stopped by. John’s kindness was evident throughout his life.

John passed away on Friday, July 25, 2025, at CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota, at the age of 73. Blessed be his memory.

John is survived by his
Siblings, Janice Hutchison of Waterville, MN,
               David Fehlandt and his wife, Kris, of Cape Coral, FL,
               Myron Fehlandt and his wife, Julie, of Glencoe, MN,
               Joyce Schroeder and her husband, Darwin, of New London, MN,
               Jean Picha and her husband, Kendall, of Glencoe, MN;
Nieces and Nephews, Kori Hutchison, Nicholas Fehlandt, Mindy Dressel, Amber Lent, JaNaye Erickson, Zachary Picha, Dana Wachter, Tyler Picha, Jacklyn Fehlandt, Lee Schroeder;
Great-Nieces, Great-Nephews, Other relatives, and Friends.

John was preceded in death by his Father and Mother, John Sr. and Pearl Fehlandt; Brother, Mervin Fehlandt; Brother-in-law, Carl Hutchison; and Niece, Kelly Jo Picha.