Bernard Frederic Fangman, 83, of Elkader, passed away Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at his residence surrounded by his family. He was born July 6, 1938, in Garnavillo to Frank Clemons and Hilda Loretta (Boeckenstedt) Fangman.
He graduated from Edgewood High School on May 18, 1956. Bernard worked for a time, then joined the United States Navy, and served 1957-1958 on the USS Mandan.
Bernard was united in marriage to Patricia Ann Lindauer on January 20, 1960, in Lamont. They celebrated their sixty first anniversary in January. Six children were born to this union. He was raised in the Manchester area and later the couple moved to Elkader. They farmed for many years and later he worked as a production worker in different factories in the area.
He was a member of the Farm Bureau and Farm Veteran School. The family were members of Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkader. He enjoyed family gatherings, especially when his grandchildren were there. Bernard especially loved babies, no matter if they were his grandchildren, great grandchildren or belonged to another family. He loved antique John Deere tractors, and had a little museum of his treasures. He always had a story to share with whomever would listen!
Survivors include his wife Pat Fangman of Elkader; children, Steven Fangman of Iowa City, JoAnn (Earl) Crary of Garnavillo, Michael (special friend Amy) Fangman of Prairie du Chien, WI, Marjorie (Trent) Henderson of Farmersburg, Mark (Laurie) Fangman of Lamont, Jeffrey (Jennifer) Fangman of Elkader; 23 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; siblings, Francis (Janet) Fangman of Dubuque, Vernice Knudsen of Sigourney, Vincent (Joan) Fangman of Ashland, NE, Theodore (Martha) Fangman of Walker, Gerald (Lorraine) Fangman of Arvada, NE.
Bernard was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Pamela Fangman; great- grandson, Matthew Crary; sisters, Bernadetta Fangman – his twin sister, Anna Estella Ruff, Mary Jane Eulberg, Juanita Rose Loeffelholz; brother, James Henry Fangman; sisters-in-law, Esther Fangman, Rita Fangman, Emma Fangman; brothers-in-law, John Knudsen, Roy Eulberg and Edmund Ruff.
Visitation: 10 am -12 pm on Monday, July 26, 2021, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkader
Funeral Service: 12 pm Monday, July 26, 2021, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkader with Rev. Susan Friedrich officiating
Interment with Military Honors 1:15pm St. Mary’s Cemetery, Strawberry Point
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family.