Joseph Fanning
January 28, 1960 ~ April 27, 2023
Joseph "Joe" Fanning, 63, of Miller, passed away Thursday, April 27, 2023, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, surrounded by his family.
Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 4, 2023, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Miller, with Father Paul Josten, celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Ann's Cemetery, Miller. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 3, 2023, followed by a 7:00 p.m. wake service, all at the church.
Joe was born January 28, 1960, in Huron to Clyde and Betty (Weise) Fanning. The first of six children, Joe grew up on the family farm southeast of St. Lawrence. He attended St. Lawrence Elementary School and then Miller High School, where he fell in love with Vicky (Gerlach) Fanning. The two were married on September 29, 1979, and through this union two children were born. Always proclaiming to be soul mates, Joe never failed to show Vicky, his partner in life, how much he loved her.
Joe grew up farming and continued after high school until his passing. He had a special talent for raising and caring for animals, especially beef cattle. As the seasons would change, so too would the work of a farmer. He worked tirelessly to care for the crops, the livestock, and his family throughout all kinds of weather and hardships. Joe also worked part-time as a crop insurance adjuster where he made many friends who enjoyed farming as much as he did.
In a time when fancy words and expressions compete for our attention, Joe would often describe others he respected as simply, “He’s a good man” or “They’re good people”. He believed in honesty, integrity, working hard, and caring for those around him. To those who knew him, he was “A good man”, and he showed us all how to be one.
Joe was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church where he taught CCD, was a Eucharistic Minister and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, where he served as Finance Officer, for a number of years. He also served on the Hand County Soil Conservation Board and was involved in many community and church activities over the years.
Joe is survived by his wife, Vicky; son, Nick (Marlena) Fanning of Hudson; and daughter, Christina Fanning of Tea; sisters: Jeanine (Mike) Hammill of Miller and Shirley (Kenny) Vlasman of Watertown; and brother, Chris (Leah) Fanning of Miller; five grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Joe was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; brother, Clyde; sister, Charlene; and nephew, Ethan.
He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Joe's arrangements.
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Blessings to Joe’s family
I am so very sorry for your loss, keeping you all close in my heart and prayers.
My sincere sympathy to the Family of Joseph Fanning.
Nick and Family,
So sorry to hear about your family's loss. May God grant you and your family peace.
Terry and Michelle
So so sorry to hear of Joe's passing, he was a wonderful person. My sympathies to the families.
Sorry for your loss.
Our Deepest Sympathy
Dr. Dick and Kathy Splichal
Vicki and family, We are so sorry for what Joe and all of you have gone through. We are thinking about you all and sending prayers and hugs your way.
Vicky & Family, I'm so sorry to hear about Joe. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.
~Megan & Family
We are so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers for the families.
Doyle & Kay
Vickie, we are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Vicky and family. I was so saddened to hear of Joe’s passing. What a loss for all of us who knew and loved him. He was such a gentleman and a gentle man. I pray for your Peace and Comfort during these difficult days. Love you.
Its been a real pleasure to know you and Joe. So sorry your family has to go through this sad time. Thinking of you and knowing you will find strength to do this. Hang in there. Joanie.
My dearest cousin Vicky and family,
My heart is saddened by your loss. There are no explanations as to why someone is taken from us. We have to continue to believe that their work here is done and it was time for them to move on. Someday we will have our answers and we will see our loved ones again. There are so many holding you tight in their thoughts and prayers. Find comfort in your memories for that is where Joe is waiting for you. Hold strong dear cousin, you are so loved.
Sympathy to all the family and friends
Vickie and family, I’m so very sorry to hear about Joe’s passing. I pray that God gives you strength and comforts you during this very difficult time.
Sincere sympathy to you and your families. Remember happy times. Memories are treasurers. Prayers for all in this difficult time. Patty Fawcett
I Love you, Uncle Joe. You fought the fight. You fought hard. That’s all you could do. You did so good. Proud of you. I’ll miss you. Until we meet again.
Lyndsey Sena
Many fond memories of cousin Joe growing up in rural St. Lawrence. Raised on separate farms a few miles apart, we shared grandparents as our dads were brothers. Often our families met for holidays, anniversaries, birthdays or just cousins visiting as kids often do. Summer cookouts for the 4th of July particularly come to mind. As years passed and miles created distance, we rarely crossed paths, but the memories live on. Others will also have such fond memories as I do and will miss having Joe around. My thoughts go out to Vicky, Nick, and Christina and their families, as well as to my cousins who are siblings of Joe's. May you find comfort in knowing others hold a special place in their hearts for this good man. (The attached photo is from 1962 when a few of us cousins had gotten together during the summer. Joe is on the right sitting on Grandma's lap.)
Thoughts and prayers for your family!!
I too have wonderful memories of our Fourth of July Celebrations at Grandma and Grandpa Fanning's Farm… the willow switches, the bonfires, the snipe hunts, the home made icecream, the July birthday cake with 20+ names on it from the Miller Bakery, the water pails with the dippers, the marshmellows and hot dogs, the fireworks, and the year Grandma's curtains caught on fire by a bottle rocket that flew through the living room window, and so much more…
I also remember Thanksgivings at Fred and Evelyn Fanning's house and the rope that let the older cousins climb all the way from the basement to the second floor via the laundry shute. (If I remember correctly Joe was one if them!)
Teresa, John and I got to know all of our cousins so well because our Aunts and Uncles took turns caring for the three of us while mom went to Rochester, Minnesota for medical appointments and procedures for her kidney disease.
I always remember Joe as being the level headed one that tried to keep all of the younger cousins safe and out of trouble (which was no small feat).
I can only begin to imagine the loss that you all are feeling right now…
A gentle soul like Joe will be greatly missed by many.
My prayers are with all of you.