James J. Flanagan

James "Jim" Flanagan, age 72 died Friday, April 2, 2010 with his family at his side, at his new winter residence in Mesa, AZ. Jim was the oldest of five children born to Francis "Pat" and Margaret (Dorschel) Flanagan on November 3, 1937 in Fond du Lac, WI. Jim completed his first eight years of school at St. Augustinechr(39)s Catholic School in Chilton, WI. After graduation from Chilton High School in 1956, Jim joined the US Army Reserve. Following his discharge he enrolled in Oshkosh State University where he was on the Union Board and was active with the campus Vetchr(39)s Club. He completed his Liberal Arts B.S. Degree in 1961. Jim briefly worked for Commercial Credit Corporation in Milwaukee before being selected for Crawford and Companychr(39)s insurance adjusters training program in Atlanta, GA. Thereafter, he worked for them in Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit, and Peoria, IL. Returning to Minneapolis he married Serene Karimo in 1967. He worked for St. Paul Insurance Companies and completed all the insurance courses available as well as several related classes about insurance law. In 1975, Jim transferred to Detroit Lakes and opened a St. Paul Companies Insurance Service center on Washington Avenue South. From 1981 until retiring in November 2005 he went independent, starting Circle Adjustment and Appraisal. After earning his real estate sales license and various insurance sales licenses, he worked in real estate sales for a short time in the early 1980chr(39)s. Jim also enjoyed dabbling in real estate as an investment, fixing up houses and apartments. From 1986 to 1997 he owned and operated Blue Sky Resort on Little Floyd Lake with his wife and children. They enjoyed meeting many interesting travelers over the years. Jim was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church. He served on the Holy Rosary School Board for two terms. He also served as activities director and treasurer in the Bloomington Knights of Columbus, and was awarded lifetime membership. He was a member of Elks and Eagles. During the years his children were growing up he took a great interest in their activities, particularly in Boy Scouts, sports, music and theater. Growing up south of Green Bay undoubtedly nurtured his passion for the Packers. Jim loved competition, including basketball "horse," pool, golf"and when younger he played stickball, softball, bowling, and tennis. He nearly wore the spots off cards playing solitaire, if he wasnchr(39)t playing gin, cribbage, whist, 500, poker, sheepshead, or bridge. A new board game was learned every year after Christmas, and chess was always available. His most recent new sport was lawn bowling in Mesa. Fishing for whatever swam by the dock was nearly a daily pastime for Jim, and landing Alaskan Halibut and Salmon were lifetime dreams come true. He was pleased to share any area of common interest, including deer hunting, how to clean a northern pike, yard beautification, sports (Especially the Badgers) and various places to travel. Jim felt blessed with his family and friends and was grateful for the variety in his life, provided by the interests of his children, grandchildren, and a younger generation of friends as their skills and talents continue to unfold. He is survived by Serene, his wife of 42 years; his children, Colleen Erion, of Fergus Falls, MN, Galen Flanagan, of Superior, WI, Hugh Flanagan, of Aurora, CO, Kari Flanagan, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Brian Flanagan, of Brooklyn, NY; two grandchildren, Christopher Erion and Stephanie Erion; one brother, Patrick (Louie) Flanagan, of Monmouth, OR; three sisters, Sharon Paul of Brillion, WI, Kathleen (James) Lipinski, of Milwaukee, WI, Mary (Richard) Lavine, of Salem OR, and many nieces and nephews. Preceding Jim in death were his parents and Brother in Law, Larry Paul.