Stewart Fettig

Stewart Fettig, beloved husband, father, brother, brother-in-law, son-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend to many, died Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at his residence. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Saturday, February 12, at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Rev. Ranjan Cletus as celebrant. Burial will follow at Bellwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be 6:00 - 8:00 PM Friday at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home. Stewart was born on July 1, 1942 in Pueblo, Colorado to Joseph and Georgia Fettig. His family moved to Lewis, Kansas in 1947, where Stewart attended school. Stewart later went to work there for Cross Manufacturing before moving to Temple in 1969. Stewart loved his work in the hydraulic industry for many years before starting his own business, Temple Machine Shop, in 1980. Stewart married his "angel", Michelle Castaneda, on August 30, 1980, and with her working by his side, they, along with their son Lester and a host of dedicated employees, over the years built up a thriving manufacturing business from the "dirt" floor. Stewart loved his work and the people who worked along with him and his pride in that work and in those who worked with him fostered that sense of family that was so important to both Stewart and Michelle. Family and friends were the focus of everything Stewart did in his life, and perhaps that's his greatest legacy. Home had to be a place where everyone could gather. Gatherings at the Fettigs' have always been frequent, with food, more food, laughter, still more food and so much fun. Though holidays were always special, celebrating anytime with family, and as many friends as were able to be there, was just what Stewart and Michelle did. "Hospitality" took on a new and even richer meaning in the Fettig home. Stewart was a man of many talents. If you were able to spend much time with him, you would have found that he was a man of few words, and rather soft spoken, but had such a quick wit and a wonderful dry sense of humor, always with great timing and delivery. Stewart very much liked to design and build things. Whether working with metal or wood, products of his ingenuity ranged from a "waterfun flush" for a church festival to an innovative machine for his hydraulic business. He also loved to barbecue and so built his own custom barbecue pit that he took to cook for anyone who would ask him, even as far as Kansas, for family reunions. Whether it was bowling, fishing, hunting, cooking or just spending time with them, Stewart was most passionate about his family. He loved and was so proud of his family. Those who knew and loved Stewart will also remember his positive outlook on life, his appreciation of hard work and his generosity. Because he felt that he had been so richly blessed in his life, he gave back generously to his family and to his community. Stewart enjoyed travelling these United States, and in the last few years, he and Michelle took some memorable road trips together. One of the highlights was when they visited Ellis Island, and he was able to see where his father, Joseph, had first entered this country. Listening to Johnny Cash and playing poker were among some of Stewart's other favorite pastimes, and he had a standing Monday night poker game with a group of men who were very special friends to him. In the past few years, since he received his diagnosis, Stewart and his family were overwhelmed and extremely humbled by the prayers and outpouring of love and support they received and continue to receive. They can never truly express the gratitude they feel for such support. It is their hope and prayer that God may bless each and every one who has travelled in some way, this difficult, yet beautiful journey with them. Stewart was preceded in death by his parents and his big sister, Kerren Kuhn. Survivors include his wife, Michelle, two sons, Lester Fettig of Temple and Daron Fettig and wife, Suzy of Salado; two daughters, Deanna Lancaster and Jackie Sanders and husband, Steve and one brother, Rick Fettig all of Temple. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren: Cody, Kelsi, Caylin, Ashley, Camron, Taylor, Kennedi, Eric, Justice, Laura, Amy and Jake and two great-grandchildren, Aaron and Nevaeh, along with many nieces and nephews. Survivors include as well his father and mother-in-law, Frank and Angie Castaneda, seven brothers-in-law, including Jerry Kuhn, husband of Stewart's sister, Kerren and nine sisters-in-law. Pallbearers are Lester Fettig, Daron Fettig, Steve Sanders, Cody Lancaster, Camron Lancaster, J. J. Kuhn, Toby Fettig and Joe (Brad) Fettig. Honorary pallbearers are Rick Fettig, Frank Castaneda, Steve Castaneda, Philip Castaneda, Marcus Castaneda, Lorenzo Castaneda, Jerry Kuhn, Bill Proctor, Gary Jarvis and Chris Stewart. Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary's School Trust Fund, Glenda Tanner Vasicek Cancer Treatment Center, c/o Scott & White Office of Developement or St. Mary's Catholic Church.