Vicente D. Biehler

Vince passed away Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, at the Denver Inpatient Hospice in Denver, Colo. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Sunday, with a prayer service to be held 7 p.m., at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont, and will continue from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Monday at the church.

Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.

Vicente “Vince” Duenas Biehler was born May 9, 1936, in Colon, Panama, the son of Vicente Duenas and Ida Pineda. At the age of 10, Vince was adopted by Elmer and Gloria (Crespo) Biehler and moved with them to Fairmont, Minn., where he attended school until the 7th grade. Vince then moved with his family to Rio Linda, Calif., where he attended Robla Grade School before returning to Fairmont his junior year and graduated from Fairmont High School. Vince went on to attend Mankato State University in Mankato, Minn. On Oct. 18, 1958, Vince was united in marriage to Rita Rosol at the Little Mission Church in Rio Linda, Calif. Together, the couple made their home in California for six months before returning to Minnesota and making Fairmont their home. To this union, five children were born:?Lori, Christina, Michael, Angela and Tammy. Vince worked for more than 34 years at 3M in Fairmont, working his way up to supervisor before retiring in 1995. In 2004, Vince and Rita would retire to Alexandria, Minn., where they had enjoyed so many camping and fishing trips with family and friends. Vince was very active in his community and church. He was a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the Lions Club.

Family was very important to Vince; he had a hard childhood and worked very hard to be able to make sure his children all received a good education and also so they could enjoy family vacations together. Later in life, when grandchildren became part of the family, Vince cherished time spent teaching them to fish, tubing, throwing balls and nature rides. He loved telling stories and reminiscing about sports and his buddies. Vince loved sports and was an avid runner. Even in retirement, Vince could be found running around the lakes of Fairmont. His spare time was spent fishing, golfing, or watching sports; especially anything to do with the Minnesota Gophers. Vince brought much laughter to those close to him with his tendency to be accident prone. Vince loved music and was known for his love of dancing. Even throughout his sickness, he seemed to find the energy to do a few dance moves. A proud moment for Vince was receiving his citizenship in the early 1960s. His sense of humor and his ability to root for the underdog will be greatly missed by those who loved him and called him friend.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Rita Biehler of Alexandria, Minn.; children, Christina (Matt) McMillan of Aiken, Minn., Michael Biehler of Jones, Okla., Angela Biehler of Dallas, Texas, and Tammy (Tim) Kelly of Larksburg, Colo.; grandchildren, Necole and Jesse Berglund, Tyler Biehler, and Christopher and Caleb Biehler; brothers and sisters, Esther Parino, Anna Peterson, Virginia (Alan) Kelly, Mary (Frank) Rice, Sharyn (John) Toman, Lois Biehler-Winters, Ellen Biehler, William (Jeri) Biehler, and Steven Biehler; half-sister, Patricia Rodriquez; brother-in-law, Richard (Arlyss) Rosol; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Vince was preceded in death by his daughter, Lori Biehler; parents, Vicente Duenas and Ida Pineda; parents, Elmer and Gloria Biehler; grandparents, Sam and Christina Biehler; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ed and Loretta Rosol; and brother-in-law, Gary Winters.