William Joseph Fahnlander

Published July 08, 2018 at 6:37 PM

William Joseph Fahnlander, 94, died on Thursday July 5, 2018 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo. Bill was born March 18, 1924 to Charles and Josephine (Delvo) Fahnlander in Langdon, ND. He spent his childhood years on the family farm in Osnabrock, ND. In 1941 Bill graduated from Osnabrock High School, where he participated in football and basketball lettering in both. He spent one year at North Dakota Agricultural College (NDSU) in Fargo and then returned to Osnabrock, where he worked for his father on the family farm until 1946. On October 26, 1946, Bill was united in marriage to Eileen Lundeby of Osnabrock. They began their married life in Bismarck, N.D., where Bill managed several trucking companies including Dakota Transfer, United Buckingham and American Freight Lines. After 35 years in the trucking business, Bill was employed by a local contractor to do painting and finishing woodwork for 25 years before finally retiring. Bill was a faithful member of St. Anne's Church in Bismarck for 67 years. In his younger years, he hunted, water skied and played fast pitch softball for 11 years. As an enthusiastic sportsman, he enjoyed watching a variety of collegiate and professional sports as well as playing cards with friends. Stamp and coin collecting were hobbies Bill pursued in his retirement years. But real pleasure for him was tending to his large, meticulously kept garden. It was a source of great pride when harvest season began. In 2013, after spending 67 years in Bismarck, Bill and Eileen moved to Edgewood Vista in Fargo. While living there, Bill participated in a variety of events and activities. Family gatherings were always enjoyed. Bill is survived by his wife of 71 years, Eileen, and daughters Kathy Christianson, Pat (Ron) McClure, Mary (Terry) Stroh of Fargo, and Wendy (Jeff) Garske, Bismarck, and also 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jack and sister Betty.

There will be a private family gathering.