Paul Julius Fankhauser

August 13, 2025

Paul Julius Fankhauser passed away on July 18, 2025 in Boise, Idaho surrounded by his family. He was 88. 

Born and raised in Kansas, it was in high school in Tribune where he met Venita, his wife of nearly 70 years. They married on July 31, 1955 and went on to have four children, five grandchildren and one great grandchild. 

Paul spent most of his life in Blackfoot, Idaho where he worked as a Certified Public Accountant and was involved in the community through his church, the Elks Lodge and the Bingham County Senior Citizens Center. Paul Fankhauser loved deeply and fiercely and was, above all else, a kind, generous and dedicated man to his people and his community. 

Throughout his life, Paul showed up for the people he loved through consistent, seemingly small, yet meaningful rituals. His family members remember him by the nightly pool games he would have with his daughter before bedtime, and by caring for others by making a bag of popcorn for his grandson to enjoy every time he had to drive back to Boise. He was giving of his time, energy and mind. For years he would let his teenage grandchildren pick the music on long drives, despite their terrible taste. He would insist on handling the riskier parts of any home improvement project to protect his adult children and grandchildren, well into his 80s. And he would always prioritize spending time with family, even visiting as far as the Soviet Union for any (or no) occasion.

From his constant humming and his love for games, to his silly nicknames for everyone in the family and his deviously dry humor, he never took himself too seriously. This showed up best around the table with friends and family, usually playing cards or dominoes. And Paul’s generosity was limitless. He was always eager to help out his friends and family by offering his time, advice and financial support. But most importantly, no matter what happened, what kind of trouble you were in, he was there. 

He is survived by his wife, Venita Fankhauser, his four children, Julie (David) Galstad, Jana (Garreth Schuh) Fankhauser, Jenifer Breshears and Robert (Shannon) Fankhauser, his five grandchildren, Akasha Galstad, Val Galstad, Triston Breshears, Morgan Breshears, and Anuja Schuh, and his one great grandchild, Gus Galstad.

Friends and family will celebrate Paul’s life on August 16, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Jason Lee Memorial United Methodist Church in Blackfoot, Idaho. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Bingham County Senior Citizens Center where Paul made so many wonderful connections.