Allen G. Fichtner

Allen G. Fichtner RACINE – Allen G. Fichtner passed away at his residence on Thursday, July 4, 2013. Allen was born at his Hayes County, Nebraska farm home on April 3, 1932. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, White, Nebraska, now a rural historic site. He was preceded in death by his infant sister Ruth, his father Leon, his mother Emma and his brother Lesley. He is survived by his loving wife Vivian, his daughters Gayle of Southgate, Michigan, Gwen (Andy) Thomas of Wichita, Kansas, Glenda of Crystal, Minnesota and Glynne (Scott) Draeger of Sturtevant, Wisconsin, grandchildren David and Carrie Thomas of Wichita, Kansas, sister Esther Bahr of Valley Center, Kansas, sister-in-law LaVada Fichtner of Gothenburg, Nebraska, nieces and nephews, and many friends. Allen attended Valley District 33 rural one room school, Concordia Lutheran High School, received his Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska and his Master’s Degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney Division. Allen spent 40 years teaching in the Lutheran School System, serving at Zion Lutheran, Kearney, Nebraska, St. John’s-Peace Consolidated Lutheran, Waco, Nebraska, Zion Lutheran Inner City, St. Louis, Missouri and Trinity Lutheran, Racine, Wisconsin. During these years he served as a principal, teacher, organist, choir director and director of Christian Education. While in Nebraska he served as chairman and also treasurer of the South Nebraska Lutheran Teacher’s Conference. In 1959 Vivian Baade and Allen were married at Zion in Kearney. Vivian was Allen’s faithful supporter and the mother of their four daughters. Vivian and Allen saw education as a vital aspect of their children’s lives, seeing and supporting them through Trinity Elementary, Racine Lutheran High School, Gayle and Gwen through Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska, Glenda at Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa and Glynne at Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana. While serving Trinity from 1973-1994, Allen spent the majority of years as 4th grade teacher. He also was director of music, serving as head organist and director of the vocal and handbell choirs. He spent 7 years on the organ committee and saw the installation of the new Zimmer pipe organ. He served as superintendent of the Sunday School for a time, initiated Vacation Bible School in the parish program and organized the beginning of the present handbell choir. After retirement, Allen pursued his horticultural interests by taking formal training at Gateway Technical Institute. He greatly enjoyed designing floral pieces and helped Vivian with their own yard gardening. He also did part time work at Commitments Christian Book Store, Sam’s Club doing food demonstration and tutoring at the Racine Literacy Council. For many years Vivian and Allen worked with AAL Branch 244, later giving support to the Thrivent chapter, supported the Wednesday Optimist Club and helped plan and care for the Trinity Prayer Garden. Trinity was home for Allen’s worship, Bible study and fellowship with his church family. Allen’s family – wife Vivian, daughters Gayle, Gwen, Glenda and Glynne and families and his grandchildren David and Carrie – were his pride and joy. Funeral services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2065 Geneva St. on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. There will be a visitation at Sturino Funeral Home on Monday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday before services from 9:30 a.m. until time of service. For those wishing to remember Allen in a special way, memorials to Trinity Adult Handbell Choir or to Trinity Lutheran School have been suggested. The family wishes to thank Dr. Choi and the staff of the chemo and radiation departments at the Cancer Center of Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-All Saints.

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Allen G. Fichtner

April 3, 1932 - July 4, 2013