- Date: 18 August 2020
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Frederick “Rik” Fjelde
Frederick W. “Rik” Fjelde, 82 of Galena, IL passed away on Saturday, August 15, 2020. A private family service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, Galena. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Galena where military honors will be accorded graveside by Galena VFW Post #2665 and American Legion Post #193. Due to Covid-19, a public celebration of his life will be held at a later date. The Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena is assisting the family. He was born February 25, 1938, in Urbana, IL the son of Olaf and Britta (Wenman) Fjelde. Rik graduated from University of Illinois High School. He then went on to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Landscape Architecture and was a member of the Alpha Ro Chi Fraternity. Rik served in the United States Navy as a Quartermaster until his honorable discharge. In 1964, he married Genevieve “Jennie” Hurt in Minneapolis, MN. Rik began working as a Landscape Architect and Park Planner for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. He then moved to Galena and became a self-employed Architectural/Landscape Designer, Builder, and Antique Dealer, until 1987 when he became the Galena Preservation Director and Zoning Administrator. He loved working on old cars, researching family history, woodworking of all kinds (and could fix most anything), Galena football, helping with Habitat for Humanity, traveling, folk art, and spending time with his family and friends. Rik was a hard-working, artistic, intelligent, kind, light-hearted man with a generous spirit who always had a warm smile and a twinkle in his eye. He was a loving husband and father and will be greatly missed by all who loved him. Rik is survived by his wife, Jennie Fjelde, his daughter, Kristin (Mike) Tasler, a niece, Deb Spalding, and two nephews, Bob, and Erik Kuhne. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Brian, and his sister, Anne Marie Fjelde. The family wishes to thank everyone for their support during this difficult time. You have all been so exceedingly kind.