John Patrick Flanagan

Mass of Christian Burial for John Patrick Flanagan, 87, of Hoyt Lakes, will be 11am Monday, July 30, 2018 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Hoyt Lakes with Fr. Daniel Weiske as celebrant. Visitation will be 3:00-5:00pm Sunday at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora with recitation of the rosary by the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus at 4:30pm.  Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the mass at the church on Monday. Burial will be in the Minnesota Veterans Cemetery in Ft. Ripley, Minnesota.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Our Lady of Hope Parish.

John died Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth, Minnesota.

He was born April 24, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois to Martin Francis and Anna Flanagan. John was a 1949 graduate of Sebeka High School.  He served his basic training at US Army Engineer School in Fort Belvoir, VA and was a Korean Conflict veteran serving 1952-1953 as a Platoon Sergeant with the Combat Engineers.

On July 16, 1956 he married Arlene Brockpahler in St. Hubert Church in Bluegrass, Minnesota. John began working for Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co., transferred to Erie Mining Company, and retired from LTV Steel as a maintenance supervisor with 42 years of service in the mining industry.

John was a dedicated member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church and served as a trustee for Our Lady of Hope Parish. He was a member of the 4^th Degree Knights of Columbus, serving on the Bishop Baraga Council 4477 as Grand Knight from 1964-1965, the Monsignor Buh Assembly – Fourth Degree and served as Past District Deputy.

He was a Life Member of the Timothy Robinson VFW Post 8144 in Hoyt Lakes, where he served as Commander in 1989-1990, was a member of the Post Color Guard and served as gambling manager. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 241 in Aurora.

Survivors include his children: Kathleen, Cindy (John) Weiske, Alicia (Scott) Sunnarborg and Brigid (Mike) Amberg; grandchildren: Fr. Daniel Weiske, Timothy (Sarah) Weiske, Kelly Amberg, Claire Amberg and Annabelle Sunnarborg; great grandchild, Ann Marie Weiske; Siblings: Jim (Rita), Mick (Irene), Maurice “Maury” (Mary), Margaret (Keith) Rauch, Dennis “Denny” (Cheryl), Madeleine Fleming and Mildred (Robert) Cuyler; numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Martin Francis; wife, Arlene; brother, Peter; and a sister, Mary Ann.

John’s family would like to thank the staff of Essentia Health Hospice and Solvay Hospice House for the excellent care given during this time.