Trygve Fekjan

Trygve Fekjan

, beloved husband,

was called home by our Triune God on December 7, 2022; he was 72 years young. Trygve ‘…fought the good fight … finished the race… kept the faith.’ (2 Timothy 4:7) ‘… let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…’ (Hebrews 12:1). After many years of living with Primary Progressive Aphasia, a form of Frontotemporal Degeneration, Trygve is now with Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Trygve’s well-lived life reflected his Christian faith and commitment to family and friends. He embodied patience, love and generosity, and will be profoundly missed by those who knew him well.

Trygve was born in Kongsberg, Norway, a town near his family farm in Flesberg, Norway. As a teen, Trygve participated in local speed skating and ski jumping competitions. After graduating from marketing school in Oslo, his first job in international freight-forwarding peaked his interest to further his international marketing education in the United States. Since his paternal Grandmother’s parents and siblings all emigrated to the United States, he had many contacts with descendant family members who offered advice about schools with quality marketing programs.

In 1973, Trygve came to the University of Nebraska, in Lincoln, for studies. Within 5 years, and under tutelage of his mentor, Sivert Haddal, Trygve managed a wine importing company start-up business; he developed great relationships with wineries and winemakers in Germany, France, Italy and Portugal.

In 1978, Trygve met LeAnn, whom he married in 1980.  A joyful wedding was held in Flesberg’s historic stave church, the Lutheran home church of his ancestral family for many generations.

Trygve’s career in the wine industry lasted more than 30 years and included relocation from Nebraska to northern California, working in international wine export for Ariel Winery, Brown-Forman Corporation, and Kendall Jackson Winery. He thoroughly enjoyed his career, traveling extensively in Europe and Asia. His passion for world travel extended to his personal life to include many overseas vacations and Christmas trips to Norway with LeAnn.

While living in Northern California, commute proximity to Lake Tahoe allowed many downhill ski trips; when teaching LeAnn how to downhill ski, Trygve truly had the patience of Job.

Prior to moving to Sun Lakes, Arizona in 2004, Trygve’s passion for driving included being an instructor for the Audi Club. He spent track time on many raceways in California and Nevada, with particular fondness for Sonoma and Laguna Seca. In 2015, he was thrilled to do some Colorado ice racing with one of his Norwegian buddies, as it reminded him of ice racing in Norway.

While in Arizona and prior to his PPA diagnosis in 2011, Trygve started his own wine brokerage company, a one-man operation, offering consultative services for small California wineries that did not have an export department. During this timeframe, Trygve also volunteered his business expertise with SCORE to mentor future entrepreneurs and small business owners. Additionally, Trygve volunteered and served on the Finance Board of Risen Savior Lutheran Church, in Chandler, Arizona where he and LeAnn became members in 2004.

Until his health condition made it impossible to play golf, lift weights, or walk distances, Trygve valiantly made efforts to remain physically strong. He so much enjoyed playing golf 2 or 3 times a week with golf buddies. Trygve always accepted his evolving physical and language limitations with dignity and grace.

Trygve’s parents, Levor and Kjersti Fekjan are both deceased as well as his only sibling, an older brother, Ole Kristoffer, who, in 2012, succumbed to cancer at age 67.

Trygve is survived by his wife LeAnn (Vallis) Fekjan in Sun Lakes, AZ and immediate family, who live in Norway’s Numedal Valley. Immediate family in Norway includes sister-in-law Sissel (Blixt) Fekjan and nieces Kari Fekjan Fossesholm [Jon Harald] and Anne Solheim [Jan] as well as a grand nephew, 3 grand nieces, one great grandnephew and one great grandniece. Also in Norway, in addition to many first cousins, Trygve is survived by his Aunts Tora Bakkerud and Solveig Bakkerud.

A celebration of life service is pending until 2023. In the interim, interment of Trygve’s ashes will be made at Risen Savior Lutheran Church Columbarium.

With a good nature, Trygve always understood what is really important in life; his wisdom and attitude is truly a blessing.

Memorial gifts:

Risen Savior Lutheran Church and School Foundation

23914 South Alma School Road

Chandler, AZ 85248