Richard Dean Flatness, 76, of Albert Lea, died on Aug. 28, 2009 of a major stroke at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester with his family at his side.
Richard was born on Dec. 31, 1932 to Clarence and Sena (Houge) Flatness in Worth County, IA. At age 12 he moved with his family to the farm in Glenville and attended Albert Lea High School. He worked as a laborer at Wilson’s for 38 years and farmed.
On Aug. 25, 1952 he married LaDonna Kilcoyne, who later passed on. On Dec. 7, 1957 he married Lois Holdgrafer. They lived on a farm near Manchester until Sept. of 1994 when they moved to Albert Lea. Richard was a member of St. Theodore’s Catholic Church and enjoyed helping others, gardening, carpentry, woodworking, fishing and especially having coffee with Merlyn.
Survivors include his wife, Lois; children, Collin (Debbie) Flatness, Paul Flatness, Cindy (Ken) Stolberg, Robert (Jeannette) Flatness, Diane (Glenn) Slayton, Kevin (Judy Olson) Flatness and Lori (William) Schirmer; grandchildren, Michelle, Krystal, Troy, Sandy, Stephen, Brian, Jason, Tami, Colton, Jennifer, Kelsey, Mark, Sara, Stephanie, Chance, Tania, Matthew and Andrew; nine great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; brothers, Marlin Flatness, Don (Jan) Flatness, Lyle (Barb) Flatness; and sisters, Lois (Archie) Lau and Janice (Kenny) Houg.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, LaDonna; infant granddaughter Christy LaDawn Sumner; and sister in law, Donna Flatness.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009 at St. Theodore’s Catholic Church with Father John Traufler and Deacon Mike Ellis officiating. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1st at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. To sign the guest book, go to www.bayviewfuneral.com.