Earl Schlenker, 88, of Kulm, ND, passed away May 7, 2021 at Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, ND. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Fredonia, ND. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 12th from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Dahlstrom Funeral Home, Kulm, ND. Burial will be held at Martin Luther Cemetery. A Livestream of Earl's Funeral Service will be available on the Dahlstrom Funeral Service Facebook page.

Earl Gordon Schlenker was born October 21, 1932 on the family farm SW of Jud, ND to Jacob and Christina (Drenth) Schlenker. He attended grade school at Raney Township and later graduated from Jud High School. After high school Earl remained on the family farm helping his parents eventually taking over the farm when his parents retired.

Earl married Darlene Buerkle on March 18, 1962 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Fredonia. They settled on Earl's family farm SW of Jud until moving to Kulm in October of 2000. Earl still loved going to the farm to help put hay and harvest the crops.

Earl enjoyed going for drives around the area to watch the crops grow and visit old neighbors. In his later years came to enjoy fishing and playing cards.

Earl is survived by his wife of 59 years, Darlene, Kulm; children, Rory, Jud and Flora (Darwin) Hedstrand, Sawyer, ND; grandchildren, Sydnie, Chad (Jennie) and Bradley (Sam) Hedstrand; great-grandchildren, Harlow, Tucker, Tobey, Stella, Braycen and Paislee.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Otto and Freida Buerkle; grandson, Jarid Hedstrand; brother, Myron (Virgina) Schlenker; sister, Luella (Harry) Meyer and his niece Cynthia.