Earl "Buster" Fankhanel

Earl (Buster) Fankhanel Long time Hillsboro businessman Earl (Buster) Fankhanel died peacefully on May 20, 2008, in the Hillsboro Hospital after a brief illness. Buster was born on October 31, 1925 in Barnesville, MN to Paul and Julia (Ouse) Fankhanel. He enlisted in the Navy upon graduation from high school and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Upon his discharge, he attended and graduated from North Dakota Agriculture College (NDSU). In 1949 he married Joyce Watson in Valley City, ND. After graduating with a degree in business he returned to Hillsboro where he owned and operated Fankhanel?s Variety store with Joyce until they retired in 1995. They were best known for the penny candy that at least 3 generations of kids enjoyed. Hillsboro residents that had relocated elsewhere made it a ?must stop? for them and their children to sample the Fankhanel?s candy selection. They continued to sell candy out of the old candy case at the Hillsboro Museum every Fourth of July until 2007. Buster was active in the Hillsboro Civic and Commerce Association, Hillsboro business activities and was a life time member of the Veterans of Foreign War and the American Legion. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; three children, Lee Ann, Denver, Co, Nancy (Kerry) Rice, Buxton, ND and Mark (Jamie) Fankhanel, Bloomingdale, IL; two sisters Dolores (Clarence) Ebert, Fargo, ND and Lois Fankhanel, Mandan, ND; and one brother Julian (Sue) Fankhanel, Sun City, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, James. The funeral will be held on Friday at 10:30 am at Our Savior?s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, ND. Visitation will be at Our Savior?s Lutheran Church from 5-7pm on Thursday with a prayer service at 7 pm. He will be buried with military honors in the Hillsboro Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials are made to a scholarship fund in honor of Buster at Hillsboro High School. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Wildeman Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Online guest book at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com