Philip Kankovsky, 86, Minot and formerly of the Butte area, died Thursday, July 19, 2007 in a Minot Healthcare Center.

Phil was born September 10, 1920 on the family farm near Butte, North Dakota, the son of Egnat and Lily (Lukovsky) Kankovsky. He was raised on the family farm near Butte and graduated from Butte School in 1938. When he was seven, his father died, so early in life he had to learn to be self sufficient. As a teenager, alone, he hitchhiked to Minot, hopped a freight train and traveled out to Washington State where he found work in the apple orchards. He attended trade schools in California for a time and then returned to Butte to take over the family farm.

Phil was united in marriage to Pearl Zavalney on November 17, 1951 in Wyandotte, MI. They made their home on the farm south of Butte, where they raised their two children. Pearl passed away on June 2, 1978. He then married Lois Baklenko on September 11, 1981. They continued to live on the farm near Butte until 2000, when they retired and moved to Minot.

Phil worked very hard to be a good farmer and found fishing as a special hobby. He also was an excellent gardener and enjoyed experimenting with fruit trees. Later in life, he enjoyed oil painting. Phil was a member of the Butte Baptist Church until it closed and then attended First Baptist Church in Minot. He served on the board of directors for Child Evangelism Fellowship, NW Chapter, for 15 years and enjoyed helping at their Good News Camp near Drake.

His loving family includes : Wife of 25 years, Lois; Daughter: Doreen (Terry) Krzebetkowski, Minot; Son: Dale Kankovsky, Fargo; Granddaughter: Jessica (Tim) Seavey, Minot; Great-Grandchildren: Anita, Alice, Timothy Jr., and Teagan Seavey; Sisters: Lydia Shaparenko, Minot, Agnes Lester, San Dimas, CA and Ella (Joe) Kriletich, Hayward, CA; a number of nieces and nephews.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Pearl, sisters, Lena Nachatilo, Mabel Uhart, and Stayce Estep and brothers, John, Steven, William and twin, Gar.

Funeral service : Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. in First Baptist Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation : Monday from 2:00-7:00pm in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Child Evangelism Fellowship or 1st Baptist Church XYZ Senior Ministry Program.