Eldon Norine Flaten was born November 9, 1926, in Camp Lake Township, Swift County, Minnesota, the son of Carl and Inga (Wanberg) Flaten. He was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at Rolling Forks Lutheran Church. Eldon grew up in Camp Lake Township and attended country school through the eighth grade. On June 24, 1952, Eldon was united in marriage to Elizabeth Thostenson at Rolling Forks Church. This marriage was blessed with four children and 58 years of marriage. The family farmed in the Camp Lake area. Eldon also worked as a mechanic, at Tyler, for Ronnie Flaten, on road construction, at Danvers Elevator, and drove tractor for Payne farms. He was a member of LMM, and he served in different capacities on different church boards at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. Among the things he enjoyed were fishing, hunting, working with his hands, dancing, singing, shooting pool, baseball and softball. He especially enjoyed watching his kids and grandkid's sporting events; and he loved visiting with family and friends. He was a very loving, caring husband, father, and grandfather. (The Very Best!) He will be truly missed. Eldon was called from this life on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at St. Cloud Hospital. He attained the age of 83 years, 8 months, and 12 days. Eldon is survived by his wife Betty of Swift Falls; his children: Keith (Deb) Flaten of Swift Falls, Lonnie (Linda) Flaten of Apple Valley, and Carrie (Jerry) Anderson of Benson; seven grandchildren: Andy (Amy) Flaten, Josh (Kendall) Flaten, Kylie Flaten, Trevor Flaten, Mike (BJ) Flaten, Lyndsay Flaten and Jenny Flaten; a brother, Pastor Irwin (Edith) Flaten of Eau Claire, WI; several nieces, nephews, and other family and friends. Preceding him in death were his son Kevin Flaten and his parents, Carl and Inga.
