John Douglas Fligge

John Douglas Fligge, age 98, of Marshall, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2015, at the Minneota Manor Care Center. Mass of Christian Burial is 11:00 AM Monday, March 23, 2015, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. Following a luncheon, interment will be in St. Edward’s Catholic Cemetery in Minneota. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 PM Sunday, March 22, 2015 at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall with a rosary at 4:00 PM and a prayer service scheduled for 7:30 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, on Monday at the church.
Clergy Officiating: Rev. Father Paul Wolf
Organist: Pam Haukom
Congregational Hymn: “On Eagle’s Wings,” “Psalm 23,” “Amazing Grace,” “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman,” “How Great Thou Art”
Special Music: Resurrection Choir - Avon Hess, Director
Casket Bearers: John’s grandchildren – Jeffrey Lemke, Jim Lemke, Janice Gardner, Shawn Fligge, Wade Fligge, Angie Jensen, Tessa Rolfsmeier

John Douglas Fligge was born on December 26, 1916, in Clifton Township, Lyon County, Minnesota. He was the son of Fred and Zella (Douglas) Fligge. John was baptized and confirmed at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Clifton and he attended country school, District 42, through the 8th grade before helping his parents on the family farm.

On November 7, 1944, John was married to Alma Haneca at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley. The couple lived in Milroy, Slayton, Tracy, and Green Valley and was blessed with 2 children: Joyce and James. John hauled milk for the creamery before buying a farm in Yellow Medicine County in 1958. They worked there until, due to health issues, they sold the farm in 1973 and moved to Ghent. Alma died in April of 1980. Later that year, John married to Lucy (Zogda) Lutzwick on his birthday, 1980, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ivanhoe. The couple shared over 11 years of marriage before Lucy died in September of 1992. John was again united in marriage to Dorothy (Schultz) Niemon on August 13, 1994. John and Dorothy enjoyed wintering in La Feria, Texas. Dorothy passed away in February of 2007.

John started working for a telephone repair and lineman and also delivered for the creamery, but his true calling was to work the land. He took pride in his work. He was a past president of the Clifton 4-H club, member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, belonged to the Eagles, and was active in the Senior Citizens Center. He was also a member the National Farmer’s Organization and served on the board of the Office Of Equal Opportunity.

His enjoyments in life included playing games such as 500, Farkle, cribbage, bingo, other card games, and doing puzzles. He enjoyed reading, watching westerns, shooting pool, dancing, casino trips and attending the rodeo. He was a man of routine and was honored to care for the animals and the land as he farmed with the help of his Allis Chalmers tractors. John loved to go south in his later years and always enjoyed time spent with the family he loved so much.

John did not say “good-bye,” instead it was “So long, see you, and tu-ta-loo.” He lived by his motto: Hope for the best, expect the worst, and take what comes.

John was happy to spend 14 years at Hill Street Place in Marshall. When he needed more assistance with his daily care, John went to the Minneota Manor Care Center in March of 2014. He entered his heavenly home there on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at the age of 98 years 2 months and 21 days. Blessed be his memory.

John is survived by his children, Joyce (Frank) Ahlman of Faribault, Jim (Janell) Fligge of Gary, SD; step-children (who called him Papa John), Dennis Lutzwick of Bloomington, Lavonne (Wayne) Bouwman of Sioux Falls, SD; 7 grandchildren, Jeffrey Lemke of Owatonna, Jim (Nikki) Lemke of Faribault, Janice (Jarrod) Gardner of Columbus Falls, MT, Shawn (Kathy) Fligge of Upton, WY, Wade (Pastel) Fligge of Watertown, SD, Angie (Tony) Jensen of Castlewood, SD, Tessa (Dom) Rolfsmeier of Appleton; 3 step-grandchildren, Laurie (Leonard) Winter of Kilkenny, Cindy (Joel) Hoover of Faribault, Robin Ahlman of Rosemount; 15 great-grandchildren, Anthony, Samantha, Alex, Josh, Mathew, Christina, Xane, Berkley, Zeke, Rachel, Lane, Ty, Trinity, Kennedy, Kollyns; sister-in-law, Margaret Haneca of Cottonwood; good friend, Andrew Laleman of Marshall; many nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Zella Fligge; 3 wives, Alma Fligge, Lucy Fligge, Dorothy Fligge; 7 great-grandchildren; stepdaughter, Joan (Ken) Thomas; and 5 siblings, Robert (Eileen) Fligge, June (Alfred) Dale, Frieda (Emmanuel) Hoversten, Shirley (Tom) Jones, and Zella “Jimm” Fligge.

The family invites everyone to Carlin Hall following the Mass for a luncheon.