ROCHESTER -- A celebration of life for George T. Fanning, 73, of Rochester, will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, with the Rev. Bruce Buller officiating. Burial of his cremated remains will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be Sunday, Nov. 1, from noon to 3 p.m. at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, and also one hour prior to the service Monday.

George was born on Nov. 24, 1935, in Rochester to David and Rebecca (Hammel) Fanning. He passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009, at Saint Marys Hospital, surrounded by his family.

George graduated from Rochester High School and attended St. Cloud State University. On June 30, 1957, he married Marie Joyce Belcher in the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They lived and raised their sons in Rochester all their married life. George was employed as a painter and taper for Palmer Soderberg in Rochester before starting his own drywall business. He retired in 2000.

He was a member of the American Legion and participated in several parades as a clown in his younger days. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading books, his prized tomatoes, telling jokes, following the Minnesota Vikings, and spending time with his family and friends.

George is survived by his wife, Marie of Rochester; three sons, Tom Fanning of Sauk Rapids, Minn., Dean (Mary) Fanning of Oronoco and Jeff Fanning (Lori Adams) of Rochester; one very special granddaughter, Katelyn; one brother, David (Karen) Fanning of Rochester; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bob and Ed; and four sisters, Kay, Barbara, Delores and Edith.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place N.W., Rochester. (507) 289-3600 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.

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