Earl Joseph Flakne

At the time of his passing, Earl was a resident of Evergreen Community of Johnson County in Olathe, Kansas.

Earl, born December 12, 1920 in Carroll County, MO, was the third of six children born to his parents, Grant and Elsie (Rock) Flakne. He grew up helping on the farm and riding his horse to attend the rural elementary school. Earl later attended Carrollton Public Schools and graduated from Carrollton High School, where he played football for four years.

After high school, Earl worked in Alaska where he operated heavy equipment to build landing craft sites for the military. While in Alaska, he was inspired to join the military so that the war could come to an end. Earl served in the Navy from 1944 to 1946 in the Pacific Theater at these locations: San Diego, California; Oakland, California; Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands); and Okinawa Island (Ryukyu Islands). Earl explained that he was happy to be a Navy man where he knew he would have “three meals a day and a bed every night - I like to eat.”

After his military service, Earl returned to Carrollton where he continued to work as a heavy equipment operator. Eventually, Earl started his own heavy equipment operation, which he owned and operated for more than a decade. His projects included building levees, terracing farmland, and donating his skills to help others. One of his projects was moving the earth for the Carrollton High School outdoor track and field facility. Earl also donated extra time to shape the land for the Carrollton Little League Field.

Earl and Virginia (Graebner) Flakne were blessed with seven children. Earl is survived by his seven children: Larry (Mary) Flakne of Fulton, MO, Dianne (Sterling Bennett) Romain of Guanajuato, Mexico, Marilyn (Henry) Leissinger of Metairie, LA, Nancy Bentley of Olathe, KS, Jerry (Carla) Flakne of Buckeye, AZ, Sylvia (Mike) Bronner of Haysville, NC, and Theresa (Donnie) Albrecht of Norborne, MO. Earl is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. His family legacy is constantly growing and numbers more than 70, including spouses. Earl was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Louis Flakne, Nettie Brockmeier, Mabel Flakne (who died shortly after birth), Evelyn Cooper, and Sylvia McDaniel.

Earl retired from The Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City, MO, after over 20 years of service, and spent most of his retirement years living in Gladstone, MO. He was best known in Gladstone as an avid bowler who was always ready to help others. At the age of 90, Earl was recognized with The Greater Kansas City Super Senior Bowler of the year award. He continued to bowl three days a week at the local Gladstone Bowl until he was 99 years old. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren enjoyed watching him bowl and visiting with his friends at the bowling alley.

Earl attributed his happiness and joy in life to his family and to “the Lord Jesus Christ who knows each and every one of us.” Upon his retirement, he put many miles on his pickup truck traveling to Alaska and across the US visiting his children and their families. These visits continued for many years, as Earl attended numerous weddings, graduations, confirmations, baptisms, and reunions.

Earl’s family remembers him as an entertaining storyteller. He was proud to share stories about his military service. One of his greatest memories is when the announcement of his first son’s birth came over the loudspeaker on the naval ship. Earl also told many stories about funny predicaments he would find himself in – always ready to laugh at himself.

More important to Earl than entertaining his family, was sharing his faith in the Lord with them. He was a regular church attender (the early service was a must) and he read or listened to devotions every morning. Earl said that no matter where he was, he felt at home because “the Lord looks over us no matter where we are.” During his lifetime, Earl was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Carrollton, MO, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kansas City, MO, and Christ Lutheran Church, Platte Woods, MO.

A funeral service and committal will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at 11:00 AM, preceded by visitation at 10:00 AM, located at Christ Lutheran Church, 6700 NW 72nd Street, Platte Woods, MO.

Memorial gifts in memory of Earl Flakne may be given to Christ Lutheran Church, 6700 NW 72nd Street, Platte Woods, MO 64151; Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center, St. Louis, MO 63141; or Evergreen Hospice Care, LLC., 11875 Sunset Drive, Suite 200, Olathe, KS 66061.