Fred Arlen Wenger

Fred Arlen Wenger Jr. passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 24th, 2023 at Bethany Nursing Home after a brief and valiant fight against cancer. He was 94.

Fred was born on April 5, 1929, in Fargo, ND, to Fred and Hazel (Amundson) Wenger. He was baptized at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church on May 1, 1929. Fred spent most of his life living in Fargo. His family moved to Spokane, WA, for a two-year period during World War II.

Fred was a whip-smart guy, both in intellect and humor. He often joked that his superior intelligence was the reason he graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1946, shortly after turning 17. He enlisted in the United States Air Force to serve his country in 1950.

Fred was a proud veteran. He was a member of the First Pilotless Bomber Squadron at Patrick Air Force Base, Cocoa Beach, FL. While there, he was an instrumental member in helping to develop and test the B-61 Matador unmanned cruise missile and piloted the C-119 “Flying Boxcar” military cargo plane. He was honorably discharged in 1954. He went on to study at NDSCS in Wahpeton. Due to his military training, he was done with a two-year program in one year and was hired by AT&T, which he retired from in 1986. Fred enlisted in the North Dakota Air National Guard and worked as a mechanic on the F-5 Fighter Jets. He retired as a Master Sergeant in 1986.

Fred was an avid and gifted golfer. His biggest stroke of luck at Edgewood Golf Course was winning a bet on a pinball game and beating Barb Kelly. On September 6, 1958, they were married at Holy Spirit Church in Fargo. Fred and Barb resided in North Fargo and raised a family of four children. Fred was the epitome of a dad and a true family man who was always willing to offer a hand, a dollar, or an unsolicited piece of advice that somehow usually felt right. They were just a few days short of celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary.

Fred was active in the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, Forty and Eight, Telephone Pioneers of America, and the Moorhead American Legion. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, and cheering (and groaning) alongside the Vikings. He especially enjoyed his time traveling with Barb to many craft shows, Air Force reunions, wintering in Arizona, and trips to casinos. He was also hard-pressed to miss any program, concert, sporting, or special event of any of his grandchildren.

Fred is survived by his wife Barb, his daughter Laurie (Jim) Reichel; their children Sarah (Chris) Savrnoch, Tom (Taylor) Reichel, Danny Reichel; son Scott (Kathy) Wenger; their children Nick Wenger and Ben Wenger; daughter Shari Wenger; son, Brian (Kimberly) Wenger; their children Andrew Wenger and Hailey Wenger; and his favorite little guy, great-grandson, Oliver Reichel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws Tom and Flo Kelly, and granddaughter Anna Wenger.