William Theodore Fettinger
William Theodore Fettinger was born at Zell on the Attersee in Upper Austria on September 22, 1963.
After his confirmation an uncle urged him to study for the ministry. This he was willing to do, and therefore he enrolled in the Gymnasium at Passau, Bavaria. In 1886 after he graduated, he set out for Wittenberg, Germany. Here he became acquainted with other candidates for the ministry, he among whom were the pastors, P. Burkholz, Sr., and R. Heidmann of the Wisconsin Synod, H. Nitschke and E. Trapp of the Missouri Synod. It was the wish of these five men to serve the Lutheran Church in America.
In the summer of 1886, they therefore set sail for America, where they matriculated in the Seminary of the Minnesota Synod at New Ulm. In May, 1888, the departed brother took charge of his first parish, West Albany, Minnesota. The following year his marriage to Ida Vinup of New Ulm took place. To this union eleven children were born, three of whom preceded their father in childhood to the mansions above.
During his twenty-eight years in the ministry the deceased served the Lord at West Albany, Bremen, Eden, and New Prague, Minnesota. While a member of the Minnesota Synod he also acted as secretary for twelve years.
From Minnesota he transferred to Lynch, Nebraska, because of ill health. During this time he preached at several mission stations, McNeely and Witten, in Tripp County, South Dakota. Since the climate was beneficial to his health, he located there in 1911, and continued doing mission work at various places until 1917.
His parish included Witten, Winner, Jordan, Mission, Brunson and Hamill. In 1917, because of failing health, he reluctantly turned over his field to younger men.
For several years after his resignation he enjoyed fair health. Two years ago last February, however, he suffered a light stroke, followed by a very severe one two weeks later, when his life was despaired of. From this stroke he never fully recovered, although able to be up and about. His most ardent wish, expressed often, was to go to his Redeemer's side. This wish was granted. Quick and unexpectedly sudden was his departure from this earth. Saturday evening, November 12, our Savior heard his prayer. The time of his sojourn on earth was sixty-four years, one month, twenty-two days.
Funeral services were held at the home of the deceased in Witten, South Dakota, Wednesday noon, November 16. Pastor W. Schaefer based words of comfort on John 11:11. The cortege then proceeded to Trinity Church at Winner where President J. Witt drew forth cheer and hope from the passage Matthew 25:21. Burial was made in the Winner Cemetery. Pastors of the Rosebud District acted as pallbearers.
The comfort of the bereaved is the knowledge that their loved one through the blood of Christ has entered into the joy of his Lord.