Ander L. "Andy" Flaten

Ander (Andy) Flaten, 78, Park River, ND, died Tuesday, December 17, 2013, at the Good Samaritan Center in Park River, ND. Andy Flaten was born March 12, 1935, in Grafton, ND, to Amos and Ida (Lien) Flaten. He attended rural schools, the Walsh County Agricultural School, and the North Dakota State School of Science. He married Betty Lindell on December 20, 1952. Andy was an avid outdoorsman and especially enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. During his younger years he was a competitive ski jumper, a member of the local gun club and curling club, and a member and past President of the Park River Volunteer Fire Department. Andy had a beautiful singing voice and sang in the church choir, in quartets, and for many weddings and funerals. Andy also had the gift of gab and made friends easily. If you ever visited him in his home or shop, he always made you feel very welcome and had something new he wanted to show you. Survivors include his three children: Shane (Dwight) Larson, Park River, ND; Perry (Phyllis) Flaten, Moorhead, MN; and Gretchen (Jon) Ramsey, Grand Forks, ND; seven grandchildren: Shannon (Jon) Markusen, Park River, ND; Joshua Larson, PR, ND; Jacob (Savannah) Larson, Grand Forks, ND; Nichole (Skylar) Ertman, Bloomington, MN; Derek Flaten, Grand Forks, ND; Nick (Sarah) Ramsey, Atlanta, GA; and Megan Ramsey, Sioux Falls, SD; five great-grandchildren: Josie, Elias, Sophia and Emma Markusen, PR, ND; and Hadley Larson, GF, ND; twin brother: Amos (Mosey) (Darlene) Flaten, Park River, ND; and sister: Judy Engelmann, GF, ND. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; son, Greg Flaten; brothers, Duane, Irwin (Bud), and Marvin (Sonny); and sister, Erna Cole. Funeral services will be Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 10:30 A.M. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Park River. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hoople, ND.