Earl LaVerne Fanger | September 3, 1937 - November 17, 2022
Obituaries-Pierre / Posted Nov 22, 2022 | 5:49 AM / 508 views
Earl LaVerne Fanger was born at the family home north of Harrold, SD on September 3, 1937 to George and Josephine (Burger) Fanger. He was the youngest in the family of five children, three girls and two boys. When the house burned down in 1939, he moved with his family to the home where he would live the remainder of his life.
He went to grade school at both south and north Lincoln Schools. Earl then went to high school in Pierre for grades 9, 10 and part of 11th grade when he quit school (because, as he said; “they couldn’t teach him anything”), and joined the Marines, where he served two years.
In 1958 he was discharged from the Marines and returned to work both at home and at the Oahe Dam. At the dam he worked both on the power house and diversion tunnels; running the vibrator on the cement pours. He also worked on the pouring of cement on the grain bins at Oahe Grain Elevator in Onida.
He met and married his wife-to-be, Mary E. Feller, on November 27, 1963 in Gettysburg, SD. They worked for Ted and Louise Baker west of Onida for 1 ½ years before returning to the home place which he ended up buying from his dad. He rented the John Zebroski farm for several years. He bought into the Sully County Grazing Association and upon its dissolution acquired a section of land. He then rented grass to run his cows at Leo McGruder’s (Cecil), Fred McQuistion’s and John Roddewig’s farms.
Earl farmed all of his life; raised cattle, buffalo, horses, hogs, sheep, geese, turkeys, ducks, chickens and guineas plus many wild animals. He also did windrowing for many years and in addition chopped MANY acres of silage! He sold his farm to two of his sons, Earl and Joe.
He took great pride in his bison herd that he has been raising for over 40 years. He loved to spend hours watching his horses and bison run the pasture at home, taking care of his beef cows and enjoyed nothing more than watching them grow. Most important to Earl was his family. He treasured Mary, his one and only true love, with whom he enjoyed just ten days shy of 59 years of married life. He took great pride and joy in his three sons; George (Janet), Earl (Jaylene) and Joe (Jennifer) plus ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
He is survived by his loving wife Mary; three sons, George (Janet), Earl (Jaylene) and Joe (Jennifer); ten grandchildren: Amanda Fanger, Alexis (Dan) Timmons, Amelia Gaines, George E. Fanger, Geremiah Fanger, Bridgette (Wyatt) Loesch, Brianna (fiancé Timothy Todd) Fanger, Earl Fanger Jr., Joe Duane Fanger Jr., and Jordyn Fanger; five great grandchildren: Elizabeth Fanger, Danika Timmons, Dalila & Dayna Timmons, Jamason Gaines; sister Avis Demmon, brother Joseph Fanger, and numerous nieces and nephews. Earl was preceded in death by his parents George & Josephine Fanger, sisters Mary Lou Demmon and Lois Alumbaugh, daughter Josephine (Josey), a niece and several nephews.
He will be terribly missed by one and all!
Memorial will benefit the Calvary Baptist Church in Blunt and Avera@Home Hospice in Pierre.
