Funeral services were held for Thomas Flath on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in New York Mills, Minnesota with Pastor Jon T. Haakana officiating. The hymns were sung by the congregation, accompanied by Janet Tumberg. Special music was provided by Gary Bach. The pallbearers were John Ricciardi, Blaine Wallgren, Arne Poser, Wayne Bethke, Carl Bauck and Richard Brasel. The honorary pallbearers were his nieces and nephews: Michael Flath, JoAnn Martin, Tracy JaPort, Maggie Flath, Jimmy Flath, Preston Flath, Sheila Flath, LeRoy Flath, Jessie Flath, Linda Flath and all his friends and co-workers at Lund Boats. Military Honors were provided by the Charles D. Center V.F.W. Post #3289 of New York Mills, Minnesota. Tom was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery, New York Mills, Minnesota.
Thomas Kenneth Flath was born on February 3, 1953 at home in Pine Lake Township, rural New York Mills, Minnesota. His parents were the late Kenneth LeRoy and Pauline (Mohr) Flath. Tom grew up in the family farm in Pine Lake Township, rural New York Mills, Minnesota. He graduated from the New York Mills High School with the class of 1971. He served in the United States Army for 4 years and the National Guard in Wadena for 6 years. Tom was employed at Tuffys in Perham for 2 years and at Lund Boats in New York Mills for almost 30 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family and friends. On March 3, 2006 Tom passed away at 53 years of age after a 7 month battle with cancer at the Merit Care Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Preceding Tom in death were his parents; grandparents: Barney and Matilda Flath and Fred and Regina Mohr.
Tom is survived by 4 brothers: Bernard (Barb) Flath of New York Mills; LeRoy (Sharon) Flath of Wadena; James Flath (Duane Shatava), special friend of the family of St. Paul; half brother Mark Flath of Audubon; step-mother, Mary Flath of New York Mills; nieces and nephews: JoAnn Martin, Tracy JaPort, Preston Flath, Michael (Dena) Flath, Margaret Flath, James A. Flath Jr., Sheila Flath, LeRoy Flath, Jessie Flath and Linda Flath; numerous other relatives and a host of friends.
Arrangements were provided by the Karvonen & Son Funeral Home of New York Mills, Minnesota.
