William Flanagan

William D. "Don" Flanagan, 100, of Chippewa Manor Retirement Center, 756 Irvine St., Chippewa Falls, died Friday, July 2, 2010 at his residence, under the care of St. Joseph's Hospice.

Don was born March 6, 1910 in Winnebago County, Wis., the eldest of 13 children, to William and Elizabeth (Brueske) Flanagan. He attended local schools, graduating from Oshkosh High School and then Oshkosh State Teachers College in 1931. He worked briefly in industry before finding employment with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture in Washington, D.C.

He married Lorraine M. Rusch in Ellicott City, Md. on June 15, 1935. When war was iminent in 1941, they moved back to Wis. where Don enlisted in the Navy Seabees. He was stationed in Calif. until being honorably discharged in Dec. 1945. He immediately enrolled in the graduate school at Stout State College, Menomonie earning a Masters Degree in 1947.

He was then employed by the Chippewa Falls Board of Education and concurrently the Board of Vocational and Adult Education. He taught high school and adult classes, mainly electricity and radio but he also taught math, drafting and other classes. In 1961 he left the high school and became full time Director of Vocational Education, retiring in 1975. After retirement, Don and Lorraine traveled extensively throughout the West and Southwest including many days of elk, deer and antelope hunting in Wyoming.

Don enjoyed deer and grouse hunting, fishing, camping and was a prolific amateur gunsmith and collector. Over the years, he hand planted 35, 000 trees on his Jump River hunting property. He organized and instructed junior rifle clubs for many years. He was a member of the NRA since 1927. He was a Charter Member of the Chippewa Falls Lions Club and a past president of the Chippewa Falls Kiwanis as well as many educational organizations. He was a chairman of the Chippewa County Blood Donors Club and donated over two gallons himself.

Survivors include: two sons, James (Mary Ellen) Flanagan, John (Susan) Flanagan all of Chippewa Falls; a daughter-in-law, Roxie Flanagan of Jim Falls; seven grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren, whom he embraced as his own. He is also survived by four sisters, Bette Fruend of Omro, Bonnie Brayton of Oshkosh, Elaine Brisky of Red Granite, Jeannette Lotz of Los Angeles, Calif.; three brothers, Leslie "Bud" Flanagan of Omro, Merle and Dennis Flanagan both of Red Granite; many nieces and nephews and his longtime caregiver and best friend, Kim Heller.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lorraine on Dec. 28, 2003; a son, Bill Flanagan on April 17, 2005; two daughters-in-law, Margaret and Sandy; five brothers, Carroll, Leon, Clayton, Milton and Robert.

At his wishes, Don's body has been donated to the UW Dept. of Anatomy.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 31 at the Chapel of the Resurrection at the Chippewa Manor. Rev Fr. Robert Hoekstra and Fr. Justin Kizewski will officiate the service.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service Saturday at the chapel.

Memorials in Don's memory may be made to Friends of St. Joseph's Hospital.

Visit pedersonvolker.com to express online condolences.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel in Chippewa Falls is serving the family.

Afterservice

A memorial service for William D. "Don" Flanagan, 100, of Chippewa Falls was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 31, 2010 at the Chapel of the Resurrection at the Chippewa Manor in Chippewa Falls. Rev. Fr. Robert Hoekstra and Fr. Justin Kizewski officiated and music was provided by Judy Brist. During the service, several family members shared memories of Don.

Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Chippewa Falls at a later date.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel in Chippewa Falls is serving the Flanagan family.