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Willard Hankel, 63, of Oakes, ND, went to be with his Lord on Easter Monday, April 21, 2014. After a courageous battle with cancer, he was surrounded by family and friends at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls, MN.

Lyle was born on December 9, 1950 in Oakes, ND. He was the son of Willard and Marie (Kilzer) Hankel and was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oakes. He attended grade school at Riverdale Country School and graduated high school from Oakes Public School in 1968. In his school years, Lyle was an active member of the Riverdale Livestock 4H Club and enjoyed showing animals. He possessed a love and natural skill for animal husbandry which led him to enroll in Animal Science Studies at North Dakota State University in Fargo. Lyle also served 9 years in the National Guard.

Lyle was united in marriage to Noreen Best on August 24, 1974 in Oakes. They lived on Lyle’s family farm and were blessed with three sons. Their family raised sheep, hogs, horses, and cattle. Lyle and Noreen were honored as North Dakota’s Master Sheep Producers in 1989. Lyle served on the North Dakota Farm Bureau Board and was a leader of the Riverdale Livestock 4H Club. He was employed by various farmers and irrigation companies as well as working almost 30 years in the manufacturing field. Most recently, Lyle worked full time with Kustom Machine in Oakes.

Lyle was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oakes. He served as Lay Minister, Sunday School Teacher, and Congregational Chairman. Along with leading and participating in many various committees and groups, he also added his tenor to the choir.

Lyle is survived by his wife, Noreen, of Oakes, and his three sons: Jeremy (JoLynn) of Oakes, Jeff (Karen) of West Fargo, and Shawn (Anna) of Aitkin, MN. He also has five grandchildren: Jacob, Jaydon, William, Sarah, and Lyla. Also surviving him are three brothers and one sister: Wayne (Elaine) Hankel of Fargo, Marvin (Pat) Hankel of Whitewood, SD, Daryl (Carol) Hankel of Cross Lake, MN, and Elaine Hankel of Whitewood, SD. Also left to mourn are many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceding him in death were his parents and an infant sister, Janice.

Blessed be the memory of Lyle Willard Hankel.

A prayer service will be held at 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 24, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oakes. Lyle’s funeral will be Friday, April 25, 2014 at 10:30 am also at St. John’s Lutheran Church. The Reverand Patrick O’Brien will be officiating. Lyle’s burial will follow at the Oakes View Cemetery.

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