Kenneth W. Flanagan, 91, Marshfield, passed away on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at the Palliative Care Center, Marshfield Medical Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Marshfield, on Tuesday, November 20, at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Keith Kitzhaber and Deacon Ray Draeger officiating. Visitation will be held at Rembs Funeral Home in Marshfield on Monday, November 19, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, November 20, from 10:00 a.m. until service time at Sacred Heart.
Ken was born on April 13, 1927 in Monroe, Wisconsin to Sylvester and Mary Frances Flanagan. He attended elementary and secondary schools in Belleville, Wisconsin, graduated high school in 1945 then attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison graduating in 1949. He attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago from 1949 to 1950 and was then drafted into the Army during the Korean War from 1950 to 1952 serving with the 46th Engineers at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Kenneth secured a teaching job in Kendallville, Indiana for three years, from 1953 to 1956. In 1956, he became the first art teacher in the Marshfield school system until he retired in June of 1989.
He married Ruth Ann Bavery on August 21, 1954 and was blessed with three sons and one daughter: Kevin, Lori, Brian and David Flanagan. Ken is survived by his wife, Ruth; his children, Kevin (Jeanne) Flanagan, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; Lori Flanagan, St. Louis, Missouri; Brian Flanagan, Clearwater, Minnesota; and David (Tracy) Flanagan, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; six grandchildren, Megan (Paul) Pearce, Sam and Max Flanagan, Sydney, Miles and Chloe Flanagan; three great-grandchildren, Graham, and twins Jack and Madeline Pearce; sister, Mary Gavin; brother, Bob (Bev) Flanagan; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Arthur Flanagan; sister, Rita Thalmann; brothers-in-law, John Gavin, Clayton Johnson and Jim Root; and niece, Belinda (Flanagan) Reuter.
Ken not only enjoyed drawing and painting, he loved breeding, raising and riding Arabian horses for over forty years. Later, he enjoyed biking, cross country skiing, exercising and socializing with many friends at the YMCA. His favorite saying was “Never say ‘Whoa’ in a horse race!”
Memorials may be given to Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the YMCA, Marshfield. The family would like to thank Dr. Mesa, Dr. Sherry Meyer, Dr. Schilling and all the nurses and doctors at Palliative care for their kindness and loving care.
Condolences may be sent online at www.rembsfh.com
