Warren Richard Fay

Warren Richard Fay, age 94, of Byron, MN, a life-long farmer, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2024 at his home surrounded by family.  Warren Richard Fay was born August 22, 1929 in Waterman, IL to Wells and Jessie (Dean) Fay. He attended Brookside country school and graduated from Waterman High School in 1947. He then attended and graduated from Iowa State College where he met his wife, LaDonna.  In 1951, Warren was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served for 2 years. A couple years later, he and LaDonna Stubbs made a life-long commitment and were married on February 14, 1954 in Iowa City.

Warren and LaDonna made their home on the Fay Family Farm in rural Somonauk IL. In 1971, they made the decision to move to Byron, MN, where they continued to raise their seven children.

Warren was an active member of the Somonauk UP Church in IL and continued this work at First Presbyterian Church in Rochester MN.  In those churches he served as Elder, Deacon, and on various committees.

Warren truly was dedicated to farming. He was a member of Farm Bureau in Dekalb County IL and in Dodge County MN, where he served as both President and Vice-President. He was a Dekalb seed dealer for many years.

He loved gatherings with his family and enjoyed coffee with friends at Otto’s in Byron. He also loved attending school sporting events, county fairs, and 4-H & FFA activities. Warren valued any social gathering, visiting friends and attending events at care facilities and retirement homes. He could strike up a conversation with anyone about anything and could easily form a connection with others.

Warren will be fondly remembered for helping his fellow farmers in the neighborhoods and his willingness to help anyone in need. He had such a cheerful demeanor and was ALWAYS smiling!

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Marjorie “Jerry” Vennerberg, Brother-in-law Dwight Vennerberg, nephew Dean, and great great nephew Simon.

Warren is survived by his wife of over 70 years, LaDonna Fay; Children, Randy (Romana Tinsley) Fay, Marlin (Diane) Fay, Jan (Rodney) Klagge, Russell (Karen) Fay, Paula Suffrins, Garry (Jolene) Fay, and Lynnette Fay; 21 Grandchildren; and 38 Great-Grandchildren and counting; Ryan and Staci Fay (Grace, Jacob, Lucas, Maxwell); Robert and Laura Fay (Nora, A J, George and Sarah); Patrick and Jamie Fay (Haylee and Whitney); Helkei and Jeff Hemminger; Effa Tinsley (Trenton Thorpe); Tim and Rochelle Fay (Aubrey, Declan and Margo); Cassandra Hinrichs (Hudson, Jack and Sawyer); Abigail and Jordan Hoyle (Paisley, Avery, Oliver and Easton); Zachary and Danielle Fay (Gemma, Braelynn and Harrison); Jay & Mimi Klagge (Dana, Kyndall, Jordyn and Ashlynn); Carrie and Jason Nolan (Madison and Natalie); Jesse Fay (Frank); Sydney Fay; Rachel and Alex Doblar (Boone and Nixon); Nicholas Suffrins; Bill and Brianna Fay (Aiden and Lucy); Elizabeth Fay and Alex Maslakow; Sarah and Derek Moore (Carter and Mason); Valerie Asleson and Sam Hershberger (Ollie and Axel); Glenna and Ben Mohler (Chloe and Bentley); Dylan Seydlitz.

The family expresses their heartfelt thanks to St. Croix Hospice for their support.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church, 512 3rd St SW in Rochester, MN, with Rev. Thomas (T.J.) Parlette officiating.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.   In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to First Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice.

To share a special memory or condolence please visit www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com, Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 801 7th St SE Kasson, MN 55944 (507)634-6510. Blessed be his memory.