Carolyn Fiebiger

CAROLYN FIEBIGER

Carolyn Fiebiger, age 86 of Northfield, passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at the Fairview Lakes Hospital in Wyoming, MN. Though Northfield was always her home, she had been vacationing for some time in Lindstrom, MN, thanks to her cousins, Richard and Lawrence who built one of the first cabins there. The towns people are friendly, the lakes are breathtakingly beautiful, and she so much enjoyed spending time with her friends at the Dinnerbel Bay Restaurant.

Carolyn Anne Fiebiger, the only child of Jerry and Anna Voracek, was born on May 24, 1923 in Lonsdale, MN. Carolyn had to grow up pretty quickly as she needed to help both her parents with extended illnesses; in doing so she often paid for their mortgages and assisted in any way she could to be a loving and devoted daughter. She attended Lonsdale Public Schools and soon after graduation moved to St. Paul and lived with her “second family” the Hruza’s. Auntie Rosie took her in and cared for her like a surrogate mother while she tried to pursue a career in nursing. School advisors told her that she would never make it in nursing as she had very compassionate heart and they feared she would lose herself in the process.

Consequently, in order to make ends meet, she moved to Northfield where her parents then lived, and began working as a waitress at Red’s Café. People liked her welcoming smile, big dimples, and dry sense of humor, and nicknamed her “Sunshine”. Over French fries and a milkshake, she met Dayton Fiebiger who was attending Carleton College. He took a major liking to her and through him she met her “true love” Dayton’s brother, Donald Nicholas Fiebiger. Being a pioneer in many ways, she waited until into her mid-20’s before Donald was able to win her hand in marriage on November 9, 1949 at St. Dominic’s Church in Northfield.

She was a career woman way before Women’s Liberation was an established term. She worked throughout her marriage, initially at Carleton College as a switchboard operator. The students loved her kindness and felt like they never left home. Carolyn and Donald proceeded to have 2 daughters throughout the years provided as many challenges as loving times for them.

Though Carolyn did not take life for granted, she was reminded too early that life is precious as her beloved husband died suddenly in 1968, 3 days before Christmas, of a massive heart attack. For a pint-sized woman, she managed to muster up all the strength she needed to raise 2 daughters on her own. Consequently, she had to give up her job at Carleton that she loved as well as daily contact with her close friends, Dorothy Ebling and Kathryn Nelson, both who have since deceased. Fortunately, she was able to find employment at Sheldahl where she continued to work for 27 years until retirement. For extra money, she waitressed at the Ole Café and catered events at the Northfield Golf Club.

Many Sheldahl friends loved her like family and continued to help her get through the hard times. Though Carolyn was not blessed with grandchildren, she cherished her beloved pets through the years, including Snookie, Spot, Trina, and particularly her partner to the end, her beautiful dog, Samantha. Since September of 2008, she has enjoyed the company of her Tabby cat named Cameron, who despite his fierce independent spirit managed to be her bed partner through sickness and health.

Though Northfield was her home, the people of Lonsdale will always hold a very special place in her heart. She spoke Bohemian fluently in addition to English. Carolyn was quite “the little polka dancer”. She was an excellent cook; kolachy’s and dumplings with sauerkraut were delicacies that her family and friends enjoyed. Though not materialistic, she did enjoy her antique dishes and jewelry. She had a wicked green thumb for gardening and actually brought plants back to life that her children managed to kill.

For fun she enjoyed the simple pleasures of fishing, going to auctions, car rides, reading cookbooks, dining with friends at the Contended Cow, watching the activities in the neighborhood, and talking with her dear Northfield friends on the phone.

Though her body weakened, her love for her family, neighbors, and friends continually grew stronger, creating a bond which will exist beyond her life on earth. We would be remiss if we did not mention her love for young people, as she worked as a Paraprofessional at Greenvale School following retirement. Working there, she felt, helped her beat breast cancer. She encouraged students to learn, bragged about them like they were her own and said, “This is the dream job of a lifetime”. She only left when her body became immuno-compromised.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am Tuesday, June 30th at the Church of St Dominic in Northfield with burial at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 10:00 am until the time of Service at the Church.

Carolyn Fiebiger is survived by daughters Mary Fiebiger of Northfield, Debbie Fiebiger of Minnetonka, and nephews Stephen Fiebiger of Burnsville and Thomas Fiebiger of North Dakota; and her beautiful dog, Samatha “her little sweatheart”. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Donald.

Memorials are preferred to St. Dominic’s School. Carolyn loved little children and wants them to have the best opportunity to learn as education was always valued by her.

Funeral arrangements by the Bierman Funeral Home of Northfield.