Gustave "Gus" Julius Fehr

Gustave Julius Fehr, known to his friends as Gus or Gust, 94, died at his home in Colfax, Wisconsin on May 11, 2026.

Gus was born on January 11, 1932 to Julius and Anna Fehr in the township of Auburn, Wisconsin. He attended Colfax schools until age 14, when he left school to manage the family farm due to his father's illness. Gus was proud to enroll at CVTC in 1998, where he earned his high school equivalency degree at the age of 64. Gus served in the U.S. Army from 1955-1961, where he rose to the rank of specialist 4th class. He was honorably discharged and earned the Army Good Conduct Medal. Gus married Donna Jean Knutson on January 11, 1958, and they raised their children Pamela and Robert in Colfax, Wisconsin.

Early in his life, Gus worked as a farmer, for Risler Trucking, at Waldorf Packaging, and at the Village of Colfax. In 1972 he started a 25-year career as a cow breeder for Tri-State Breeders, retiring in 1997. After retirement, Gus worked several jobs, including school bus driver for the Colfax School District for 7 years.

Gus was a dedicated community member and volunteer. He was a longtime member of Colfax Lutheran Church and found another special church family at North Running Valley Lutheran. He served as Colfax Village president for 6 years and in the Colfax Volunteer Fire Department. As a member of the Colfax Kiwanis Club and the Chetek and Colfax American Legions he was an excellent fundraiser and raffle ticket salesman.

Gus was an enthusiastic fisherman and hunter for his entire life. He enjoyed playing cards, dancing, gardening, and pranking his friends. Gus was an avid thrift saler and known for buying items that were in "mint condition" whether or not he was in need of them. He was a loyal friend, always saying "well let me fix that" - and he probably could. He was a beloved grandfather to his four grandchildren, attending as many games, concerts, and milestones as possible.

Gus is preceded in death by his wife Donna Fehr; parents Julius and Anna Fehr; brother Gerald Fehr; sisters Arlene (Schmidt) Meredith and Geradine Knoepke; mother- and father-in-law Alfred and Hilda Knutson; and brothers- and sisters-in-law Vern Schmidt, Don Meredith, Harold Scheidler, Irv Kressin, Elmer Knoepke, Helen Fehr, Arla and Rodrigo Valdovinos, Norman Knutson, Anna and Donovan Dyrdal, Byron Dodge, and Ronald Finley.

Gus is survived by his daughter Pamela (Thomas) Moen; son Robert (Jan) Fehr; grandchildren Tyler Moen, Emily Moen (Jesse Lava), Hannah Moen (Matthew Pope), Hayden (Nicole) Fehr; great-grandchildren Soren Lava, Juliet Lava, and Penelope Pope; twin sister Glenice Kressin; brothers-in-law Russel (Ann) Knutson, David "Buck" (Mary) Knutson, Richard (Becky) Knutson, Larry (Karen) Knutson; sisters-in-law Betty Dodge, Coryne Knutson, Darline (Jim) Thompson, Carol (Michael) Boyd, and Nancy (Jim) Arnold; along with many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Gus will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 1:00 PM at Colfax Lutheran Church, 601 River Street, Colfax, WI 54730 with SA Minister Michaela Stenner officiating. Visitation will be three hours prior to the service at the church. Burial with full military honors will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Colfax. Online condolences can be left for Gus' family at www.sampsonfuneralhome.com.