Flanagan, Joan

Joan Flanagan, age 80, was born to eternal life on Wednesday evening, July 7, 2011, with her family at her side. She was born February 26, 1931 in Darlington WI to the late Mary Rubado, and was raised in Darlington and then Madison. She attended Edgewood high school and college. Joan met Hank Flanagan who was attending UW-Madison, and they married on May 19, 1950. They had 5 children, all born and raised in Bear Creek, WI. Joan loved raising her family in Bear Creek and was involved in community life there for many years. Hank and Joan moved to Appleton in 1976. Joan worked for Curtis Door in New London for many years, and then General Electric in Appleton as an industrial sales rep. After her retirement from GE, Joan became very active in Appleton’s community organizations. She loved the PAC and volunteered there, as well as at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, and the Thompson Center. Joan enjoyed being a red hatter and also loved her line dancing every week at the Thompson Center. She loved to travel and took her 5 children and their families on a 2 week trip to Italy over New Year’s 2009 where everyone had a great time. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and was a kind and loving person. Joan moved to Brewster Village long term care facility in August 2009 after suffering a spinal cord injury from a fall which left her paralyzed. She resided there the past 2 years, and her spirit, courage, and bravery were phenomenal, and she was an inspiration to everyone she came in contact with. She will be lovingly remembered. Joan is survived by her five children; Colleen (Mike Miller) Flanagan, Appleton and Mercer, WI; Dennis (Sally) Flanagan, Nekoosa, WI; Brian (Karen) Flanagan, Appleton,WI; Terry Flanagan, Commerce City, CO; and Barry (Sue Pelot) Flanagan, Apple Valley, MN; and her six grandchildren; Carey Flanagan, Milwaukee; Sarah Flanagan, Appleton; Paul (Gina) Flanagan, Chicago; Erin Flanagan, Appleton; Kelly Flanagan, Chesapeake, VA; and Scott Flanagan, Denver, CO; and her 2 great-grandchildren Brogan and Keenan (Sarah) Flanagan, Appleton, WI. Joan is survived by sister-in-law’s Anita (Flanagan) Fredrichs, Marian (Flanagan) Powers, Marlene (Lemberger) Erickson, Priscilla (Prunty) Flanagan, and a brother-in-law Patrick Flanagan, and many nieces and nephews. Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Hank Flanagan, her parents Mark Erickson and Mary (Kirwan) Rubado, her brother Robert Erickson. A Mass of Christian Burial for Joan was held on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 1617 W. Pine St., Appleton with Fr. Dennis Ryan officiating. Visitation was held on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at Valley Funeral Home from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. a prayer service was held at 7:30 p.m. On Wednesday family and friends visited at St. Bernard from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Burial took place in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Bear Creek, WI, Wednesday at Noon followed by a family/friends gathering.