William Harlan Danker

William Harlan Danker, age 90, of Wood, South Dakota, was peacefully called home to our Lord on February 21, 2019 while at Tri-City Hospital in Oceanside, CA.

William wished to have his remains cremated. The cremation will take place on March 4th, 2019 with just His immediate family present. Arrangements are being made by Eternal Hills Mortuary in Oceanside, CA

We will celebrate William’s life at 1:00PM March 7th, 2019 to remember all the happiness our Father brought to our lives. We welcome all His friends and family to attend this service. The service will be held at Eternal Hills Memorial Park, 1999 El Camino Real, Oceanside, CA 92054

William was born to James Harlan Danker and Theresa Danker in Wood South Dakota on July 29, 1928. His Parents both died at a very young age leaving his Aunt, Gladys Schaeffer, to raise Him and His sister from childhood. Gladys was in every way His “Mother” and our “Grandmother”. William attended school in Wood, South Dakota and was voluntarily drafted into the U.S. Army after his schooling. He served two years in the Army and after being honorably discharged He relocated to Winner, South Dakota and began working in the Automotive Business. During this time William very fortunately became friends with the owner of a small café in Winner called “Westside Café” owned by George A. Hunt and His Wife Marge Hunt. This was fortunate as it was what eventually lead to William being introduced to Marge’s sister, Carmen Falencik who became the love of his life and His Bride on October 12, 1963 when they were married in Her home town of Ashland, Wisconsin.

Over the next three years, a family was started with William and Carmen’s children Kevin, Timothy and Debbie being born. We were always told there would be a fourth sibling if they didn’t get a daughter on the third try but the stars were all in alignment and we had our sister.

William and Carmen dedicated everything to their Family. They did everything imaginable with their children. Camping, boating, fishing, on the Missouri River in South Dakota and Lake Superior in Wisconsin. Trips to see our Cousins in Wisconsin, many trips to the Black Hills of South Dakota, and even Yellowstone Park. In our Father’s pride and joy blue GMC van, we were always together doing some sort of fun activity. We, his children had the best lives any one could ever ask for. Our lives were humble, there was never excess, but we truly had everything that mattered to a child. Our Father will be terribly, terribly missed. Eventually we left South Dakota, moving to Ashland, WI and then finally ended up in Oceanside, CA where William lived out the rest of His life meeting more great new Friends Jim Bingham and Susan Sides who became oh so important in his life.

William is preceded in death by His Father, Mother and His Aunt, Gladys Schaeffer who raised Him from childhood.

William is survived by his one and only loving and devoted Wife of 56 years Carmen Danker. His sister Kay Olsen and Her Husband Gene Olsen. His Son’s Kevin Danker and Timothy Danker. His Daughter Debbie Vogel and Her Husband Phil Vogel. William has four Grandsons, Cody Danker, Travis Danker, Trevor Vogel and Joshua Vogel. He also has Jaylyne Vogel as His Great Granddaughter. William was also fortunate to have many Neices, Nephews, Grand Neices and Grand Nephews close to Him during His life.

The Family of William wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Christopher Bengs and all the Doctors and Nurses at Tri-City hospital for the compassionate care they provided over the years.