Bert Fenenga

Bert's daughters Dorothy and Stella, and son Gerit were asked by me about Bert's birth. Bert Fenenga was born March 6, 1890. His mother Lammechien died March 9, 1890. The Fenenga home had been destroyed by fire. Bert's mother died of exposure, but Bert, shielded by his mother's body, survived. Neither Stella nor Gerit knew the specifics of why Lammechien and Bert were outside. My recollection of the story my mother Dorothy told me was that when Lammechien went into labor, her husband Gerrit Jacob Oelsens Fenenga took their daughter to get the doctor. A blizzard delayed the return trip, and when Gerrit returned home, the house was burned down. Lammechien had died of exposure, and Bert, three days old, protected by his mother, survived. Gerit Fenega said that Bert was sent to Wisconsin to live with relatives, until age twelve. Gerrit Jacob had been badly injured, and was not expected to live, and Bert was sent home to take care of him. Gerrit survived, and Bert was sent to another relative where he completed grades 6 through 12 in two years, then entered Yankton College, Yankton, SD, where he earned a BA.

Inducted into the St Louis Chapter National Football Hall of Fame in 1971

Married Ruth Elizabeth Cross on August 15, 1916 in Yankton,Yankton,South Dakota.