Don Flanigan
December 22, 1931 ~ June 23, 2015
Don Flanigan, 83, of Wecota, passed away, Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at the Faulkton Senior Living.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 27, 2015 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wecota with Pastor Timothy Koch presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 26, 2015 at Luce Funeral Home, Faulkton with the family present from 7:00 to 8:00p.m.
Don Lee Flanigan was born December 22, 1931 in Church Hill, TN to Dewey and Sue (Sproles) Flanigan. He attended school in the Church Hill area, graduating from Church Hill High School in 1950.
On October 26, 1950 Don enlisted with the United States Air Force. He was stationed at Rapid City, SD and served in multiple areas prior to his honorable discharge on October 25, 1954. While Don was stationed in Rapid City, he met his future wife, Delores Leppke. They were married February 14, 1953 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wecota, SD. They made their home in Rapid City and also Michigan and Tennessee until they settled in Wecota in 1957. They lived here together the rest of his life until he entered the Faulkton Senior Living in 2012.
Don’s life has revolved around his family and farming. Together he and Delores raised 12 children and spent as much time as they could traveling to watch their kids activities. Don ran his family farm, worked for area farmers and also the Wecota Elevator until retiring in 1991. Even once Don retired, you could always find him staying busy with some type of farm activity or maybe a little hunting.
Don’s life will be cherished by his wife of 62 years, Delores; his children: David (Lois) of Aberdeen, Rick (Grace) of Newport, NC, Carmen Flanigan (Don Winge) of Falcon Heights, MN, Mike (Mary) of Warner, Bruce (Carol) of Vancouver, WA, Bryan (Traci) of Urbandale, IA, Virginia (Wynn) Holsing of Cresbard, DeAnn (Steve) Ekdom of Allen, TX, Jim (Angie) of Brandon, Jay (Shannon) of Parkwood, MO and Vance (Ericka) of Norfork, VA; 29 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; two brothers: Frank and Clark Flanigan and one sister, Brenda (Bufford) Light.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Brent; and two brothers, Rufus and Toy Flanigan.
Memorials should be directed to the Faulkton Senior Living, Faulkton, South Dakota.
Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Don’s arrangements.
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Almost all of my favorite childhood memories have the Flanigan family in them. Don was one of the kindest, sweetest men I have had the pleasure to know. I can still hear that wonderful southern drawl. He and his gracious wife raised the best crop of kids on this planet. I am truly sorry and sad that he has left us but rejoice in knowing he is with our Lord and Savior.
Mike, Mary, Matt and Family of Don Flanigan:
In my thoughts and prayers.
Ruby
Vance and Erika,
So sorry for your loss! You are in our prayers and thoughts!
Kirk and Dawn
God Bless all of you. You are in my prayers.
Susan
Thinking of you during this time. Love karen
Vance and Ericka, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of your family. Thankful for your large family for support. God Bless , Steve and Lisa
My hope is that this message finds you all in good health and dealing with the loss of Don’s companionship and love for each of you in a healthy and hopeful way. I had a deep respect for him as he always had an upbeat and even tempered persona. I know he was a good father/dad and a positive influence and inspiration. His Christian faith seemed to serve him well as I hope serves you all as well. As you each define your new normal it will come to pass that memories of him will bring a smile to your face. I hope that day comes to each and all of you soon.
God’s Peace to each of you,
Ed Bierman
Nothing has posted in the local paper. This is from the funeral home website.
Dear Dolores and Family, I remember Don as a quiet kind gentle man who was always there to support you, Dolores, and always so proud of his family. Those were good times at the "Shirk Home" when we had the yearly Christmas party or other big event. I enjoyed visiting with Don and his quiet sense of humor. I know he will be missed. God Bless You All.
I count myself very blessed to have known Don, Delores and their wonderful family. Each time I drive into Wecota I look down the hill toward the Flanigan’s and am flooded with warm and wonderful childhood memories. We should all be so fortunate to call such kind, decent and Godly people our friends. I know you will miss him greatly-such a great man leaves a huge hole when he is gone from this earth-but I know God will grant you his peace and I rejoice that he is at rest in the presence of our great comforter, Jesus Christ.