Don and Marilyn Fanetti owned and operated a specialized heavy hauling interstate trucking business, Structural Transport, for 45 years in Milwaukee. However, their true love was farming and their lifelong dream was to retire and move back to Don’s home town in Dunn County. In 2005, that dream came true and they moved permanently to the Township of Red Cedar outside Menomonie. Sadly in 2009, Don lost his battle with cancer.
Since his passing, Marilyn Fanetti has thrown her heart and soul into turning grief into good by supporting many community projects near and dear to both their hearts. Marilyn especially appreciates supporting youth projects and recently became the lead donor in supporting the renovation of the Dunn County Community Center in the County Rec Park. At the Center’s opening, Marilyn told the community members present that when she and Don were unable to have children, they decided to borrow ours. Youth projects are especially dear to Marilyn’s heart. When she heard through the Community Foundation of a pressing need in Boyceville, it galvanized her to start the Don and Marilyn Fanetti Donor Advised Fund at the Foundation to manage her giving.
The Boyceville Community School District is the smallest school district in Dunn County, with nearly 54% of all students coming from low-income homes. Access to technology is an ongoing issue in Tiffany Creek Elementary School. This year the Common Good Fund at the Foundation was able to grant the school the money to purchase laptop computers. Due to lack of funds, they were unable to support the rest of Boyceville’s request. That’s when Marilyn jumped into action through her donor advised fund. She purchased the requested 3D printer and a new laptop for CAD design.
Math and science teachers Andy Hamm and Steve Duerst were amazed when the Foundation told them a donor was stepping in to fund the printer. 3D printing is a 21st century skill and the addition of this printer will give students the experience that will prepare them for engineering, business and health care careers in the future. Marilyn is most excited about using the research skills of staff at the Community Foundation to help her find projects and initiatives that match her passions.
