Fred Enkow

On Friday, December 3, 2010, with the same dignity and grace he lived his life, Fred Drenkow died from cancer under the care of Hospice and surrounded by his loving family. Fredric Allen Drenkow was born on November 23, 1940, to William and Helen (Bonham) Drenkow in Mitchell, South Dakota. He was baptized there at Zion Lutheran Church. A number of years later the family moved to the Watertown, SD, area where Fred attended school; he was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Watertown. He completed a two year degree in drafting at Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, SD, and went directly into the Architecture program at NDSU, graduating in 1966. On August 1, 1964, he married Joanne Lakness; they have lived in Fargo since that time, where they have raised their family. Fred served in the United States Army Reserve from 1966 – 1972. He enjoyed a long and satisfying career in architecture, the last twenty years of which was with Foss Associates in Fargo; much of his work was in the field of medical facilities. For him, the crowning achievement of his career was the design and construction of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls, MN; many of the design attributes of comfort and quality living were inspired by, and a tribute to his mother, Helen Drenkow, who had been a nursing home resident for many years. Knowing he made a difference in the lives of many people, residents and caregivers alike, gave Fred deep satisfaction. Fred was the ultimate do-it-yourselfer, no job too big or too small, loving the planning and the process of completing the task. That creative process found the perfect outlet at his Minnesota lake cabin on Big Sugarbush Lake, especially in the construction of log furniture and all the cabinetry. He loved spending time there! It is the setting of many of his family’s happiest memories. He attended early morning Men’s Bible Study at First Lutheran and was a member of Helping Hands there; his own quiet ministry was the repair and upkeep of all of the chairs in the Celebration Center. He loved watching football, he loved golf and other outdoor activities, and most of all he loved his family. He was a loving and playful father and grandfather! He loved and respected his sons-in-law and was especially proud of his three grandchildren Fred was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Jeannette Lynn, by his parents and grandparents, and sister-in-law Annette Trumm. He is survived by his loving wife Joanne, his daughters Jennifer (Kraig) Jacobson and Gretchen (Kent) Anderson, and his grandchildren, Benjamin Jacobson, Charlie Anderson, and Chelsea Anderson, all of Fargo; his brother Paul (Clarine) Drenkow of Ann Arbor, MI; several sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, and many cousins. His was a steady and calming presence; he was a man of character with a deep and abiding faith in God. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him. The family prefers memorials be given to Hospice of the Red River Valley, to the 2020 Club at First Lutheran Church, or the First Lutheran Foundation. Visitation will be Monday, December 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hanson Runsvold Funeral Home; the funeral services will be Tuesday, December 7 at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, 619 Broadway in Fargo. Interment will be at Our Savior’s Lutheran cemetery near Henry, SD.