Thomas Prestholt Fankell

Thomas P Fankell passed away on May 13, 2025 at the age of 87. At the time of his death Tom was a resident of New Richmond, WI where he had moved in 2022 living close to family. 

Tom was born in Fertile, Iowa to Earnest and Lucille Fankell on April 28, 1938. He attended school in Clear Lake,Iowa graduating in 1957. Tom was a gifted athlete in school excelling in both track and basketball. Following graduation, he attended colleges on sports scholarships completing his Bachelor of Science degree at Bemidji State University. After college, Tom made construction and later construction management his career. His focus was mainly bridge and road construction. Following college, Tom resided in the Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, WI area until moving to New Richmond Tom married the love of his life Mary, and they shared a beautiful and full life for 54 years. Tom always said that Mary came with a bonus, his four step-children. There was mutual love and respect between Tom and his children. The family grew as grandchildren and great-grandchildren were added. 

Tom along with Mary were an active and special part of all their lives. The family enjoyed many activities together, including hours of fun at their cabins on Bony Lake in Barnes, WI where Tom taught generations of family members to ski, windsurf and sail. A hobby he loved with a passion was bird hunting with his dogs. Tom trekked through miles of fields in Iowa and Wisconsin bird hunting with his dogs. He always owned a dog and spent hours training and hunting with them. Tom will be remembered as a man with simple needs, a very strong work ethic, a compassionate heart, and a quiet soul. His expectations of others was modeled by the high bar he set for himself. If you earned Tom’s respect, you were a friend for life. 

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Lucille and Ernest Fankell, his brother James (Jimmy) Fankell and sisters Janie and Mary Lou. He is survived by his children Vicki Gjovik (Tim), Timothy O’Neil, Missy O’Neil (Tom Findlay) and Tom O’Neil as well as 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, and his trusted dog Bony. 

Tom’s family will gather in July for a private celebration of his life on Bony Lake.