Donley Flattum

BUTLER- Donley Flattum 87, of rural Butler died on Monday, May 28, 2007 near his farm. His funeral will be at 10:30 A.M. Friday, June 1, 2007 at Butler Lutheran Church in Butler, Rev. Orlo Espeland officiating. Burial will be in Prairie Mound Cemetery, Butler. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster on Thursday 4-8 P.M. with family present 6-8 P.M. and prior to services on Friday. Donley Flattum was born on Saturday, January 29, 1920 to Lewis and Lucy (Parks) Flattum at Webster, South Dakota. He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster and later confirmed at Butler Lutheran Church. In the early 1930’s the family moved to a farm south of Butler in Troy Township, Day County. He grew up there, attended country school near his home and graduated from Butler High School in 1940. On July 13, 1940 he married Charlotte Deuschle at Escanaba, Michigan. After their marriage the couple made their home in Valley Township, Day County west of Butler. He raised turkeys, Registered Angus Cattle for more than 70 years, and also grain and corn. Mrs. Flattum passed away in February 1991. After her death he remained on the farm and was currently active in the farming operation. He was a member of Butler Lutheran Church. He and his wife loved to camp and travel, even after her death he traveled to England to look up family members. He loved to have coffee and visit with friends, hunt and fish and when he was 80 years old he tried para-sailing. He was happiest when he had a house full of his family. He enjoyed playing tricks and never took life too seriously. Donley passed away on his land near Butler on Monday, May 28, 2007 at the age of 87 years, 3 months and 30 days. He finished his life out fencing, something he would have been proud of. Survivors include two sons, Donley L. “Butch” (Carol) Flattum of Butler, SD and Glenn (& fiancée, Julie Stoks) Flattum of Butler, SD; five daughters, Cherryl “Cherry” (Ron) Mathiason of Henry, NE, Carol “Coby” (Ed) Curran of Butte, MT, Cynthia (Ed) Jacobson of Ida Grove, IA, Karen Warrington of Sioux Falls, SD and Keri (Joe) Skroch of Aurora, SD; 18 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren, He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and one brother, Richard.