Sherry Kankel, 79, passed away on Saturday, May 28th in her home in Red Lake Falls after losing her courageous battle with cancer.  Her body may have given up, but her spirit lives on in the lives of those she touched.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 9:00 am on Saturday, June 18 ^th at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN, with Father Bob LaPlante presiding.  Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Red Lake Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held one hour before the funeral mass, from 8:00 am to 9:00 am on June 18th, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN.

Sherry Lynn Rose Hince was born in a log cabin in Equality Township near Oklee, MN, the second of eight children born to Elmer and Marie Hince.  She graduated from Oklee High School at the age of 16 and went to work at the local bank.

In 1959, Sherry married Dave Kankel from Red Lake Falls, and as she would often say, she moved from one end of the county to the other.  After a brief time in Thief River Falls, Sherry and Dave made their home in Red Lake Falls, where they raised six children.

Sherry was an avid reader and student of history.  An active member of the Red Lake County Historical Society, Sherry partnered with Anne Healy to author/edit the Red Lake County History Book, published in 1976 to coincide with the Red Lake Falls Centennial celebration.

A loving mother and wife, Sherry always put everyone else first.  She opened her home to many and hours of games, laughter, tears and plenty of coffee were enjoyed with her at the kitchen table.

Sherry is survived by her children Kris (Dennis) Thorfinnson of Gillette, WY, Tracy Erickson of Andover, MN, Nancy Kankel (Ginny Staudt) of Lakeville, MN, Carol Jo of Red Lake Falls, MN, Erika (Ron) Knips of Lakeville, MN, and Karl (Marlo) Kankel of Lakeville, MN;   her eight grandchildren, Kayleigh (Kyle) Burns, Dane Erickson, Tanner Thorfinnson, Hannah Thorfinnson, Rylee Knips, Brody Knips, Reese Kankel, and Kellan Kankel; sisters Kathleen (Bill) McDonald, Mary (Rudy) Gunderson, brother Don (Erika) Hince; and many other relatives and friends.

Sherry was preceded in death by her husband, David Kankel; parents, Elmer and Marie Hince; sisters Bonnie Roisland, Joan Lien, Margaret Hince; brother Robert Hince; and granddaughter Elizabeth Marie Thorfinnson.

ls, MN.