Flanigan, Robert M. 1933-2006

FLANIGAN, MURPHY

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/7/2012 at 18:07:29

Sioux City Journal
November 21, 2006

CHARTER OAK, Iowa -- Robert M. "Bob" Flanigan, 73, of Sioux City, formerly of Charter Oak, died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 10:30 am. Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mapleton, Iowa, with Monsignor Mark Duchaine officiating. Burial will be in Danbury Catholic Cemetery, Danbury, Iowa. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a vigil wake service at 7:30 p.m., at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton.

Robert Michael "Bob" Flanigan was born Jan. 20, 1933, in Sioux City, to Martin and Henrietta (Murphy) Flanigan. He attended Soldier (Iowa) 5 rural school and beyond that, he was an avid reader and self-educated. He was a farmer from his early childhood, working with his father and brothers on the family farm near Ricketts, Iowa. In later years, he farmed in the Mapleton, Danbury and Charter Oak area, until he was forced to retire after being injured in a fire in April 2006.

He was also an entrepreneur and was always willing to try a new venture. In partnership with his brother, Joe, he owned an International Truck Dealership and the Mapleton Motor Company in Mapleton, Iowa. The brothers were also partners in Flanigan Brothers Grain for several years. He also started the South Sioux City Pet Spa. For the past 30 years, he spent part of each winter in Arizona, where he bought and refurbished houses for resale and bought cars for his Shamrock Cars business.

He was happiest when he could spend time having a beer with friends and reminiscing about old times. He always enjoyed stopping at small town pubs and making friends with the local residents. He had the Irish gift for storytelling and could find humor in almost any situation.

He was a very caring and giving son, brother and friend, always ready to help when needed. He will be truly missed by all whose lives he touched.

Survivors include a sister, JoAnne (Don) Seufert of Ute, Iowa; two sisters-in-law, Nora Flanigan and Darlene Flanigan, both of Mapleton, Iowa; 12 nieces and nephews, Mary (Bob) Nelson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Marty (Lynette) Flanigan of Mapleton, Benita (Roger) Uhl of Mapleton, Joann (Tim) Treiber of Danbury, Iowa, Mike (Tammy) Flanigan of Mapleton, Bryan Flanigan of Mapleton, Dennis (Melissa) Flanigan of Sioux City, Colleen (Bob) Henderson of Ute, Iowa, Joe (Jodi) Seufert of Carroll, Iowa, and Trish (Lance) Odom of Eagle, Neb.; 12 grandnephews; and 13 grandnieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Joseph and Donald Flanigan.