Love feels undefinable, but you know it when you have it. And we had it.

Kenn Fideldy was born to Vincent (Dad) Fideldy and Pearl (Mom) Gunderson Fideldy on September 1, 1943 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. While he would eventually visit many countries, the place he called "home" was never more than 20 miles from his birthplace. But while he stuck close to home, his influence had no boundaries. (Once, on a road trip, his family was teasing him that he was recognized wherever he went. He denied it, until we parked at Wall Drug in South Dakota. As soon as he stepped out of the car, we heard someone exclaim, "Well, if it isn't Kenn Fideldy!" The passengers still in the car rolled their eyes.)

Kenn spent his younger years exploring the Mississippi River, often with his best friend, Jim Warner, at his side. When Kenn was in high school, he and a friend went exploring south of town, and ended up at a resort on Big Splithand Lake. He opened the door and set his eyes on the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, the owner's daughter, doing homework at the end of the bar. He turned to his friend and said, "That's the girl I'm going to marry." Two years later they did, indeed, marry, and they remained together for over 62 years. His love for Pat Allan Fideldy (BV) was legendary, and limitless. Their relationship was a touchstone for their extended family; the definition of how to work hard and love hard to forge a path together.

Kenn was employed at Blandin Paper Company for over 35 years, working nearly every job and finally ending up as Safety Director. After retirement from the mill, he spent some time working at Rowe Funeral Home, and then he landed a gig as the News Director at KOZY radio station. His deep bass voice was a perfect match for the radio, and he developed quite a fan following for his alliterative news headlines. He'd sometimes receive a phone call asking if he'd be kind enough to ring somebody and sing "happy birthday." He always obliged. There was some swooning (generally among the 70+ set,) and a few requests for autographs. Other than his induction into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame (with the Blandin Male Chorus,) this was the work of which he was most proud.

Above all else, though, it was his family that brought Kenn his greatest joy. A baby boy, then a daughter, and eventually four grandchildren and even five great-grandchildren! He was our constant love, our constant hug, our constant shelter from the storm. He told our stories and held us all tight. When you were loved by this man you were loved fiercely and completely. Each child, grandchild, great-grandchild, niece, nephew, cousin, in-law, (and out-law,) sibling, and most especially his cherished wife, each of us knew this wall of protection, because Kenn built that wall, and kept every brick in place.

Kenn has joined many family members on whatever adventure comes next. Those going before him include his parents; his brother, Eugene Fideldy (Gene); his sisters, Barb Daigle (Barbie), and Doris Hennagir (Poo); along with their husbands, Ernie Daigle (Jugs), and Floyd Hennagir (Monster). Also forging ahead were his beloved in-laws; Archie (Arch) and Martha (Mar-tee) Allan; and his brother-in-law, Ronald (Ronnie) Allan.

Those of us still around to carry on his legacy include that beautiful girl at the bar, his wife of 62 years, Pat (BV)Fideldy; his son and daughter-in-law, Todd (Buck) and Rachelle (Shelly) Fideldy; his daughter and son-in-law, Tracy (Liebe) and John (John) Kampa; his grandchildren and their spouses; Jessica (Beautiful Beauty) Taft, Tanner (Tin-Tan Man) Fideldy, Patty (Angel Human) and Dalton (Dalt) Grigsby, and Kate (Kater-Pertater) and Ethan (Eth) Klovstad. His five great-grandchildren were his reason for sticking around as long as he did; Cora, Riley, Kendric, (Finally! A namesake!) Evie, and Warren. Kenn is also survived by his beloved little sister Gloria (Sport) and her husband Tom (Tommy) Thomsen, and his sister-in-law Marietta (Mary) Allan. Kenn's nieces and nephews number over 100, and he loved them all fiercely.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Eagle's Club in Grand Rapids on Friday, June 13 from 4-8 p.m.

Please join us and lift a glass to a life well-lived!

When you think of Kenn and smile at the memories of his jokes and his stories and his beer drinking days, please also remember his love, and spread that love wherever you can.