David George Kankel December 8, 1935 - October 11, 2013 Memorial Service will be held 4:00PM Saturday October 26, 2013 at St. Joseph Catholic Church Red Lake Falls, MN. A time of fellowship will be held 5:00PM at the American Legion in Red Lake Falls. David (Dave) was born in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, the first-born son of Carl A. Kankel and Esther (Ness) Kankel. A life-long resident of Red Lake Falls, Dave graduated from Lafayette High School in 1954. After high school, he attended Bemidji State University and graduated in 1958 with a double major in Accounting and History. After college, Dave sold insurance for a short time and worked as an accountant for numerous businesses in the region including Joppru, Inc. of Thief River Falls, Toupin's Chalet of Warren, and Winger Sales Barn and the Grilla Truck Stop in Winger, Minnesota. In addition to his own tax preparation business, Dave also served as the Business Administrator for the Red Lake Falls Clinic. A dedicated public servant, Dave served as the Red Lake County Auditor for 32 years, being named Minnesota's Outstanding Auditor of the Year in 1990. During this time, he actively maintained his tax business, and was a member of the Red Lake Falls Volunteer Fire Department, and served on the Board for Oak Knolls Golf Course. In his retirement, Dave loved fishing and golfing; but he mostly enjoyed his family and numerous friends in the community. He especially enjoyed chatting with friends at the American Legion and Memories Café. Dave is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sherry (Hince) Kankel, his children Kris (Dennis) Thorfinnson of Gillette, WY, Tracy Erickson of Andover, MN, Nancy Kankel (Ginny Staudt) of Lakeville, MN, Carol Jo Kankel of East Grand Forks, MN, Erika (Ron) Knips of Lakeville, MN, and Karl (Marlo) Kankel of Lakeville, MN, and his eight grandchildren, Kayleigh (Kyle) Burns, Dane Erickson, Tanner Thorfinnson, Hannah Thorfinnson, Rylee Knips, Brody Knips, Reese Kankel, and Kellan Kankel. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Esther Kankel, brother Charles Kankel, and granddaughter Elizabeth Marie Thorfinnson.