In Memory of Wladimir Fuhol, Sr.
Wladimir Fuhol, Sr., age 86, of Cambridge died January 20, 2010 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 23rd at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Isanti with Father Richard McGuire and Father Jose Edayadiyil as Celebrants. A visitation will be held from 4 – 8 P.M. on Friday, January 22nd at Strike Funeral Home – Isanti Chapel. Interment will be in Isanti Union Cemetery.
Wladimir Fuhol, Sr. was born December 25, 1923 in Ukraine to Tropnemius and Paulina Fuhol. He was raised and lived his early years in Ukraine. On June 29, 1947 he married Anna Petruniak in Austria. In 1950 they came to the United States and settled in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota. Forty-eight years ago they settled in the Cambridge – Isanti Community. Wladimir was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Isanti. He was a member of a Coon Hound Club. He enjoyed his family and all of the family gatherings. He also enjoyed farming, his coon dogs, playing his accordion and cooking. He was a man of many abilities and was a jack of all trades.
Wladimir Fuhol, Sr. died on January 20, 2010 at his home in Cambridge at the age of 86 years and 25 days. Besides his parents and brothers and sisters all lost in World War II, he was also preceded in death by two grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Anna of Cambridge; 8 children, Maria (Tony) Simone of St. Petersburg, Florida, Wladimir (Tammy) Fuhol, Jr. of Stanchfield, Eda (Robert) Peterson of Harris, Jim Fuhol of Cambridge, Larry Fuhol of Isanti, Steve Fuhol of Cambridge, Nick (Joy) Fuhol of Cambridge, Don Fuhol of Cambridge; 19 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter; and by many friends.
A Man of Persistence, Fearlessness and Commitment
One can know a lot about a person by looking at what they have done and what they been through. I knew my Grandfather for 27 years and I have had many discussions on various topics about his and my life. Through many of these discussions my Grandfather told many eye opening stories of WWII, people he had met, places he had been and things he had done, all the while being one of the most modest men I have ever met. Most individuals in his situation would find enjoyment in elaborating in certain stories and adding little embellishments to them, but when my Grandfather spoke, you could tell it was nothing but the truth. There were times that you knew he was even trying to not make it sound not as bad as it truly was. He was an incredibly humble man that spoke nothing but truth.
Lately I find myself trying to imagine myself in my Grandfathers shoes during his life and I always end up in mere admiration of him. When I think about who my Grandfather was, several important character traits come to mind; perseverance, commitment and fearlessness.
I don’t know many people, including myself who could continue to keep going after losing their family and never talking to them again, being on a German navy battle ship in the Mediterranean and being placed in a refugee camp, but my Grandfather did. Despite all of these events in his life he wanted more, a better life and he was persistent enough to succeed. In today’s world most people cry poor, poor me, my life is so bad, but to you I say it is nothing but a small bump in the road compared to what my Grandfather went through.
For someone to make it through these events he must also have been fearless. After my Grandfather met my Grandmother they decided to go to a new world they knew nothing about. He wanted better for his new family and he was fearless in his choice to leave. He knew that he was able to endure some of the world’s greatest tragedies and whatever the world was going to throw at him he could handle it. So with the little they had and two small children they made this scary voyage to a foreign land. Feelings of overwhelming fear, anticipation, and confusion must have been present in both my Grandparents minds, but they made it because they were fearless and committed.
When my Grandparents settled down in Crookston Minnesota, my Grandfather worked in the twin cities which were a couple of hundred miles away. He would spend the week down there and drive back on the weekends to spend with the family. A person in this situation has to be so committed to his family. Work long hours in a factory where you know little of the country you are in, all to see your family a couple days a month. Most if not all marriages now days would fall apart in a couple of weeks, but because My Grandfather and Grandmother were committed to each other and their family they made it. They just didn’t make it those first couple of years in a new world; they made it the rest of their lives, more than a half a century.
Examining my Grandfathers history, it makes me proud to call myself a Grandson to Wladimire Fuhol and I hope that I am able to demonstrate a fraction of some of his traits he has taught us all through his history.
Anna, we have lived accross from you for 38 years. You have been wonderful neighbors. We are so saddened by the loss of Wally. You are in our thoughts and prayers. If we can help you with anything ever, do not hesitate to call on us. Love Lee and Carolyn Ackerman
Id like to send my condolences to the entire Fuhol family for their loss. Ill never forget the times Wladimir and I would converse in diffirent languages. Kind regards to the Fuhol family.
My special condolences to Anna and the entire Fuhol family. My folks were good friends and neighbors with you,” Norman and Mary Syse,” who have passed several years ago. I knew Wally a little myself and always had respect for him the little I knew him. My folks always talked nothing but good about the Fuhols. My best regards go out to you and family. May God be with you all at this time.
I’m sorry I could not make it to the funeral. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I know he will be missed by all. Brett Ackerman and girls.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Anna and the entire family. I always enjoyed when Wally would stop by and just talk a while. Loved to talk about old times with him. My folks enjoyed when he stopped by. Mom would talk a little German with him. Then they all laughed. Talked about the old recipes and shared a cup of coffee, occasionally during the holidays, maybe something a little stronger. Sorry I could not make it to the funeral.