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Caroline J. Fankhauser, St. Joseph, MO, passed away Friday, September 20, 2024 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's.

Caroline was born September 24, 1935, in St. Joseph, MO, to Allen and Mary Calhoon. In 1953 she married Marvin Fankhauser, Jr. after graduation from Central High School and they shared 71 years of marriage together.

She worked for Safeway grocery until she earned her BS in education from Missouri Western State University in 1971. She went on to earn her Master's Degree in Education from Northwest Missouri State University in 1974 and achieved an Educational Specialist Degree in 1980 from the University of Missouri - KansasCity.

Caroline taught in many schools within the St. Joseph School District, most recently at Building Bridges until she retired in 2002 after 31 years of teaching.

She loved being a reading instructor and thoroughly enjoyed her students. She devoted her life to being an educator, wife, mother, and grandmother.

Survivors include her husband Marvin Fankhauser, Jr.; daughter Kristina Miller (Allan); daughter-in-law Rhonda Hoselton; four grandchildren Kathryn Miller, Daniel Miller, Drew Hoselton (Samantha), Blair Hoselton; great-granddaughters, Sutton and Emry; other relatives, friends, and a host of former students.

Preceding her in death were her parents; son Marvin A. Fankhauser III; sister Mary Cochran; and brother Allen Calhoon.

Memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association would be appreciated.

Visitation will be Friday, September 27, 2024 from 12:00 noon till 1:30 pm at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. A prayer service will follow at 1:30 pm at the funeral home. Entombment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery.