Fahning, Rev. John E. John Fahning was born in Waterville MN in 1935. Growing up in the southern Minnesota lake country he developed a passion for the outdoors becoming an avid hunter and fisherman as he worked in the family lumber business, Fahning Supply. He attended St. Olaf College where he met Vendla Ronning, his wife of 66 years. They built a home in Waterville until a calling to the ministry led them to Luther Seminary in St. Paul. John was ordained when called to a parish in Dennison MN. After serving in Dennison he attended Yale where he earned a Sacred Theology Masters and later attended Duke University for studies in the New Testament. They moved to New Hope raising three children. During his career as a minister he taught at St Olaf College, worked for the ELCA Lutheran Church district office in St. Paul and he served as an interim pastor for several churches throughout the Midwest, making friends and hunting contacts along way. He was passionate about flying, having owned several float planes over the years, exploring lakes on the Canadian Shield, landing fish with family and friends including his friend and expert fisherman, Rev Bob Evans. John and Vennie loved spending time at their cabin on Elephant Lake near Orr, MN stoking the fire, picking blueberries and reading the works of Martin Luther. John died of natural causes on April 1, 2022. He is preceded in death by mother Clara, father Paul, sister, Barbara Hinton. He is survived by wife, Vendla, sister Marilyn Hendrickson, son Paul Fahning (Susan), daughters Carolyn (Todd) Rehmann, Susan (Geir) Johansen, grandchildren Diana, Heidi, Peter, Maija, Syver, Andrew, Evan, two great-grandchildren, nieces Jennifer Hinton, Alisa Benson, Stephanie Spencer, Heather Hendrickson, Holly Halford and nephew Charles Hendrickson. The Funeral will be held Monday, May 2, 2pm at Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley. The service will also be live-streamed at events.calvary.org. Memorials may be given to Nature Conservancy or the Minnesota Arboretum.

Published on April 13, 2022