Reuben Flaten

Reuben Flaten, 94, of Duluth, MN, formerly of Greenbush, died Friday, October 2, 2009 at his home in Duluth.

Reuben Orville Flaten, the son of Theodore and Minnie (Sather) Flaten, was born August 21, 1915 in Roseau County, Minnesota.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. He attended grade school in rural Roseau County and High School at Crystal, ND.

During the great depression and drought, Reuben’s family herded their cattle from Greenbush to Crystal, ND. They lived there for three years where Reuben completed the 12^th grade. Shortly before graduation, the family moved back to Greenbush and Reuben was not able to attend his graduation ceremony with the Class of 1933.

As a young man, he farmed and then moved to Duluth, MN to live with relatives and work as an orderly at St. Luke’s Hospital. He married Christine Gjovik on July 15, 1944. They enjoyed 65 years of marriage. They owned a farm in Huss Township, rural Greenbush, where they lived for many years. Reuben also worked road construction and often his family would accompany him to the construction sites and live in a trailer during the summer months.

When Reuben applied for social security as a 65 year old--he discovered that he was actually 66. He thought and was told he was born in 1916 instead of 1915.

Reuben was a hard working, private and very honest person who loved fishing, hunting, reading and watching westerns. He enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins. More than anything he loved to visit with friends and family while drinking coffee or eating hamburger and french fries at Strathcona.

Reuben had been a member of the former Poplar Grove Lutheran Church and a 50-year member of Bethel Lutheran Church. He read the Bible five times.

After leaving Greenbush, Reuben and Christine had lived in Fargo before moving to Duluth. For the past four years they lived in Duluth at Primrose Apartments where they made many new friends.

SURVIVED BY: Wife—Christine “Dolly” Flaten.

Daughter—Rhonda (Rick) Hamre of Fargo, ND

Son—Lon (Marie) Flaten of Hermantown, MN.

6 grandchildren: Sonja (Scott) Williamson, Shannon (Rob) Ackerman, Josh (Karmen) Hamre, Tim Hamre, Kate Flaten and Abby Flaten.

9 great-grandchildren: Brett, Bryce, Zach Williamson, Ben, Joe, Sam, Molly Ann Ackerman, Sophie & Sydney Hamre.

He was preceded in death by 4 brothers—Ralph, Henry, Guy & Mancer Flaten. 3 sisters—Thilda & Mabel Flaten & Florence Westlund.

Funeral Service was held on Friday, October 9 in Bethel Lutheran Church of Greenbush with Pastor Nancy Jewell, officiating. Joan Haugen was the organist and Lynda Blake was the vocalist. Pallbearers were Carlton Flaten, Wayne, Ted & Armand Westlund and Joshua & Timothy Hamre. Interment was in Poplar Grove Cemetery, rural Strathcona with Gieseke Funeral Chapel of Greenbush in charge of arrangements.