Obituary of Joseph James Fettig

Joseph "Joe" James Fettig - September 24, 1943 - August 29, 2021

Joseph James Fettig, 77, died Sunday, August 29, 2021 at the Minneapolis VA Hospital after a brief 48 hrs. stay.  He had suffered with coronary heart and kidney issues in recent years, but was able to be comfortable at home almost till the end.  He died just one month prior to his 78th birthday.

Joe was born into a large German family on Sept 24, 1943 in Harvey ND, to Emanuel & Rose (Kraft) Fettig, the 12th child out of 17 children.  He attended school in the Selz and Harvey area.  Joe joined the US Army prior to his 18th birthday, and was stationed for two tours of duty mostly in Germany during 1961-67.  He lived in Apple Valley after the Army with his family, and has currently resided the past 34 years in Eagan.  Originally an auto mechanic, in his semi-retirement days, he enjoyed working at the Eagan Frattalone Hardware and later at the Fairfield Inns at MOA and Eagan as a van driver.  He loved making wood frames and mastered mat cutting as a hobby in his work shop.

Joe always had a strong faith in his Lord Jesus Christ that sustained him through his illness.  He was comforted by the poem, "Footprints in the Sand" and enjoyed listening to gospel music.  He is now "Home at Last."

Survived by loving partner of 34 yrs, Linda Prince, Eagan, MN; only daughter Carola (Collin) Casey, grandchildren Kyler, Katie, & Kelby, Princeton, MN;  siblings Florence Selensky, Anaconda, MT; Mary Burgard, Page, ND; Manny Fettig (Bernice) Fargo, ND; David Fettig (Sandra), Broomfield CO; John Fettig, Keaau HI; and Julie Sullivan, Altoona, IA; many nieces & nephews. 

Preceded in death his parents Emanuel and Rose Fettig; siblings Edward, Edmund, Alice Volk, Adam, Herbert, Louie, Regina Fetzer and in infancy Joseph, Rosina and Marie.

There was no funeral per Joe's request, private burial was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis MN on November 15, 2021.  Section 33, Site 1787
 

Footprints in the Sand

One night a man had a dream.  He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. 
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.  For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. 
One belonged to him, the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. 
He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. 
He also noticed it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. 
"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way. 
But, I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. 
I do not understand why in the time I needed you most, you would leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. 
During your times of trial and suffering, when you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried You."