John Fiandaca

John Fiandaca, 97, of Moorhead, MN, passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at Sanford Hospice House, Fargo, ND.

John was born on August 19, 1926, to Angelo “Frank” and Margaret (Boit) Fiandaca in Dilworth, MN. He grew up on a farm south of Dilworth’s Little Italy where he and his brother, Bud, helped with the farming at an early age. He attended school until the 11th grade before joining the military at the age of 18. He was stationed in Germany during World War II and was one of the individuals responsible for the inspiration of the movie “Monuments Men” as he recovered stolen artifacts and returned them to their original owners.

After the war, he returned to the area where he was united in marriage to Lila Freeberg on July 11, 1953. They lived on a farm north of Moorhead and farmed sugar beets, grain, sunflowers, corn, and soybeans with their son, Dan. It was there where he raised his family and continued to live until two months prior to his passing. After his retirement from farming, he rarely missed the round table breakfast conversations with friends and afternoon coffee sessions at McDonalds.

John was very active in his community where he earned the Clay County Outstanding Young Farmer Award, he was an Oakport Township Supervisor, he was a member on the American Crystal Sugar Growers Association Board. John was honored by joining the Honor Flight to Washington DC with his brother-in-law and friend, DJ Schreiner in 2015. He enjoyed spending his time with his family at their lake cabin at Lake Ida and spending winters in Lake Havusa, AZ, with his companion, Ardoth Week.

John is survived by his children, Marie (John) Lindstrom, Fargo, ND, Dan (Kathy) Fiandaca, Moorhead, MN, Betty Fiandaca, Plymouth, MN, Dar (Doug) Dale, Trenton, OH, Linda Fiandaca, Austin, TX, and Sharon (Brad) Ward, Okotoks, Alberta; grandchildren, Amanda Fiandaca, Emalee (Mike) Muhonen, Dustin Dale, Jess (Becca) Dale, Jackie (Andrew) Hanson, Matthew Plummer, Kellan (Carolyn) Ward, and Kasey Ward; great-grandchildren, Bronson Massie, Pia Muhonen, Bryson Dale, Micah Dale, Kolby Dale, Maddie Moyer, Abigail Hanson, and Noah Hanson; sister, Delores “Cheech” Sannon; brother and sisters-in-laws, Leonard Freeberg, Irene Tocci, and Gerry Freeberg; and many other loving relatives and friends.

John is preceded in death by his wife, Lila; parents, Frank and Margaret; son-in-law, Lee Sandberg; brother, Angelo “Bud” (Caroline) Fiandaca; sisters, Patricia (Don “DJ”) Schreiner, Carmella “Carm” (Merrill) Voss, and Rosa (Dick) Gallagher; and brother-in-law, Marv Sannon.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 6:30 P.M., followed by the wake service at 6:30 P.M., Sunday, July 14, 2024, at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN. Visitation will continue from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 15, 2024, at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Dilworth, MN. A livestream of the service will be available here on John's webpage. Final resting place will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Moorhead, MN.

John’s family would like to extend their gratitude to the healthcare teams at Elim Healthcare Center, Pioneer House, and Sanford Hospice House for the special care they gave to John.