Don Fiebiger
Donald “Don” Fiebiger, 60, Valley City, ND passed away at his home on December 31, 2021 with his family at his side. A memorial Mass will be held in St. Catherine Catholic Church, Valley City, on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be at the Lerud Mathias Funeral Home chapel on Wednesday from 5:00 PM-7:00PM at which time a prayer service will begin.
Donald Vernon Fiebiger was born September 17, 1961 in Moorhead, MN to Vernon and Emmie (Paradis) Fiebiger. He grew up in ND and was a 1979 graduate of FinleySharon High School. Don went on to NDSU for a time then graduated from the police academy. He furthered his law enforcement resume by adding the FBI National Academy to his list of credits. Eventually he completed his degree in human resources from VCSU.
Don was a deputy sheriff in Steele and Griggs counties in North Dakota before moving to Valley City and finishing his career with the Barnes County Sheriff Department. He retired as Chief Deputy and Investigator.
January 3, 1992, Don married Darlene Sather in Cooperstown, ND. The couple raised 3 children together and fostered many other kids over the years. Being a loving husband and wonderful dad and then a special “Popa” were the most important things in Don’s life. He was most proud of the family he and Darlene made together.
Besides his family and community work through the Sheriff’s Department, Don found time to serve on many boards. He was on the Youth Sports Complex Hockey board and was the risk manager for the ND Hockey club. He spent time in the Lions Club and with the Salvation Army. Don was instrumental in starting the Secret Santa gift giving through the Sheriff’s Department. In addition to his family, he loved classic cars. His pride and joy was his 1971 Chevelle.
Don leaves behind his wife, Darlene and their children, Chelsey (Ryan), Evan (Mercede) and Samuel; grandchildren, Cambrie & Carter, Ava and Baby F (due in April); his mother, Emmie; brothers, Tim and Steve (Susan); sisters, Tammy (Ken) Votava and Terri (Rod) Haugtvedt; brothers-in-law, Lyle (Sheila) and Rod (Michele) Sather and Greg Swensen; sistersin-law, Angie Nierenhausen, Nancy (Dave) Elston, Sandi (Lee) Schneider, Mary Mendoza, Beverly Watkins, Kathy Quick, and Peggy Jonas; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father; mother-in-law, Barbara Swensen; and niece, Sarah Votava.
Although Frontal Temporal Dementia took Don away from his family too soon, the loving care given to him by Angie and Trisha helped Darlene keep him at home until his passing. Family meant everything to Don and to be able to be with them until the end is a priceless gift.
The Lerud Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City is assisting Don’s family with arrangements. The service will be live streamed then archived along with his obituary and can be viewed at www.lerudschuldt.com. Please sign the online guestbook there as well.