Owen Flanagan

OWEN FLANAGAN

Tama

Owen "Tub" C. Flanagan, 99, of Tama, passed away Saturday, June 18, 2016, at Sunny Hill Care Center in Tama. A funeral liturgy service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama, with Deacon Joe Behounek officiating. Interment will follow at Haven Cemetery, rural Tama. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with a vigil service at 7 p.m.

Owen was born Jan. 4, 1917, in Newton, Iowa, the son of Owen J. and Minnie (DeBruyn) Flanagan. He graduated from Grinnell High School. Owen served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, reaching the rank of staff sergeant. On May 5, 1943, he was united in marriage to Doris Ellen Thompson in Grinnell. Owen was a farmer his entire life before retirement in 1990. He also worked at Wilcox Repair part time for many years.

Owen was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama and previously was on church parish boards at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Chelsea. He also was a member of the American Legion and was a STC music booster. Owen enjoyed sharing stories with family and friends, both old and new, and discussing the news of the day. He also liked watching Cyclone games, "The Price Is Right," "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune."

Taking a walk and reading many good Westerns also were favorite pastimes.

Survivors include his wife of 74 years, Doris of Tama; two daughters, Janice (Tim) Coble of Des Moines and Jody (Mike) Pietz of Ames; two grandchildren, Kacey and Brody Pietz of Ames; one sister-in-law, Helen Stephens of Tama; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; one sister, Verona McGrory; two brothers, Leo and Earl Flanagan; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ben and Ethel Thompson.

A memorial fund has been established.