Christopher "Chris" Ficenec

CHRISTOPHER FICENEC, 59

On the morning of July the 6, 2020, and with one final burnout, Christopher Ficenec, Alexandria, MN, broke his earthly trap speed record to meet the great reward. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2020, 1:00 PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria.  Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Friday, July 10, 2020, 4:00 – 7:00 PM with a Parish Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Saturday, July 11th from 12:00 – 12:30 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home.   St. Mary's Church requires that people wear masks at the funeral.  For those who are not able to make the funeral it will be live streamed.

Chris is loved and will be missed by his wife Sheila, kids Nicole of Los Angeles, CA and Kyle of Alexandria, MN; parents Joseph and Audrey Ficenec of DeLamare, ND; siblings Curt Ficenec, Fargo, ND, Tami (Bryon) Metzen, Milnor, ND,  Robert Ficenec, Casper, WY, Darin (Jennifer) Ficenec, Lakeville, MN; 18 nieces and nephews, and his trusty couch companion Jax.

Chris was born March 17, 1961 to parents Joseph and Audrey Ficenec of DeLamare, North Dakota. The eldest of 5 siblings, he started his love affair with wheels and horsepower early. If it had wheels he had his brothers help him customize it. Between Sunday race days Chris found time to play football and graduate with honors from Milnor High.

Chris attended the North Dakota College of Science where he found his first career in autobody and the love of his life, Sheila Whempner. Chris and Sheila were united in marriage June 18, 1983 and moved to West Fargo, ND where they produced two ‘pretty good kids’, Nicole and Kyle, and Chris built a bustling shop restoring hot rods and custom motorcycles. Chris also spent 17 years as a member of the North Dakota National Guard, served as a member of Knights of Columbus, and an  EVAC volunteer, providing assistance for disaster emergencies in the FM area

After a second degree from NDSU, Chris and the family moved to Glenwood, Minnesota. Chasing his entrepreneurial spirit, Chris, and with the help of Sheila and Kyle, built his company Diversified Foundations, later relocating to Alexandria to be closer to the business.

Chris will be remembered for his unparalleled knowledge of anything with a carburetor, his smoked brisket, and his candid advice. Chris was known for taking on God’s wayward sons, bestowing personal guidance and horsepower while they took up temporary residence in the family basement.  Chris loved hunting, fishing, and when the kids moved out, camping with Sheila and Jax in their toy hauler.

In September of 2016, Chris was delivered a devastating diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Refusing to let the cancer define him, he courageously fought the disease for nearly four years, promising to himself and his family to ‘make every day count’. He found a renewed passion in an old art, blacksmithing, and in his faith as part of the Men’s Ministry in Alexandria.

His family is forever grateful for the incredible doctors and nurses at Mayo Clinic, Coborn Cancer Center, Alomere Health and Douglas County Hospice for their commitment and dedication. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Indy Foundation or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN).

PANCAN

https://secure.pancan.org/site/Donation

INDY

https://www.im-not-done-yet.com