June 11, 2026 – West Bend, Wi – Michael J. Fechter took his last breath June 7, 2026 at the age of 75, covered in love and holding the hand of his wife Linda. He passed away at the Sturgill Hospice House in Brooksville, FL. Michael was born July 17, 1950 in West Bend, WI. He was the first-born son to Raymond and Arlene (Theisen) Fechter.
Michael was a lucky man to have met the love of his life, Linda (Jentz) in high-school.They were married May 13, 1972 at Holy Angels Catholic Church, West Bend WI. The deep unwavering love between them was easy to see and inspired a fun family fact; both of his children and grandchildren married their high-school sweethearts. They set the example.
Michael was raised with a strong work ethic, a love of the outdoors, and a bit of mischief. There were always stories to share about the Fechter boys growing up.
Athletics came easy to Michael. At 250# his sheer size was enough to intimidate his opponents. Number 73 made lifelong friends on and off the football field, & basketball court. He may have been a tall guy, but he was a bit of a softie when it came to Linda.
A skilled welder by trade, Michael spent the majority of his career at Gehl Company in West Bend (1969-2007). He was a proud member of the Gehl Hexelbank 25 Year Club. When Gehl’s stopped manufacturing in West Bend, Michael was not ready to retire, so he finished his career at Helgensen Industries in Hartford sharing his expertise in machining, welding and fabricating. He took pride in shaping steel and building usefulthings that lasted. Michael hung up his welding gloves in January 2013, when he retired, packed up the car and headed to Spring Hill, FL where he spent the winter months each year.
Michael’s perseverance was unmatched when it came to hunting and fishing; he never gave up and always stayed out in the elements until the very end of the season. Though Linda jokingly noted that his chances of getting a deer were often better with his car than his rifle. When he was not in the woods or out on the water, he was at home helping Linda host weekend parties where you could find Michael mixing up his secret recipe for old fashioneds. When wintering in Florida, he looked for opportunities for fun in the sun on the gulf or playing golf. Heenjoyed many years and made many friends as a member of the Wisconsin Club, New Comers, Boomers & Weeki WacheeFishing Clubs. He was also very proud to be a 3rd degree KC Knight. Michael loved taking Linda out to the theater. He held annual PAC tickets and rarely missed a chance to dance at one of the many live performances where you could find him singing along. He loved music so much he was tough to beat at “Name that Tune” in his Timber Pines community. In his later years, you could often find him snoozing on the recliner, but rest assured he was wide awake & fired up when the Packers were playing.
His favorite job was being a Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa. His kids gave him the spark in his eye, the adventure of a lifetime, and a few grey hairs along the way. From stopping at the dry-cleaners to ask for directions to the hospital, teaching them how to drive, to the “breaks going out” on Pikes Peak, to long hot nights in the “honeymoon suite” (tiny camper up North), and Sunday dinners. Family was his greatest adventure.
He was the kind of man you could depend on to support you when you needed something from the grocery store, or to hold you up when your knees buckled. His ability to love was as tall as he was.
Michael leaves behind his devoted wife of 54 years, Linda; his children Connie (Steven) Kannenberg, & Aaron (Jennifer) Fechter; his granddaughters, Katelyn (Nicholas) Konstanz, and Kalli (Parker) Ratzburg; and his great-grandchildren, Sophia and Annalise Konstanz, and Carson & Henry Ratzburg. He is survived by his brothers Mark (Diane) and Larry (Rhonda) Fechter, Sister-in-Law Michelle (Troy) Sherman, and God-daughter Jean Morrison. He will be missed by many other relatives and friends. Michael is preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Arlene, infant sister Ann Fechter and brother-in-law Greg Jentz.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, August 8, 2026 in West Bend, WI. Location, timing, and interment details to follow.
