Jake Erwin Flanigan, 85, passed away on September 11, 2025, from complications due to kidney failure. He was with his family at home, where he’s always preferred to be.
He lived his entire life in eastern Montana, beginning on the George/Flanigan family homestead north of Broadus. Born to Frank and Helen (George) Flanigan, he was the baby of the family, with 3 older siblings, Francis (Audrey) Flanigan Jr., Helen Morgart, and Grace (Ray) Zuelke. As a boy he became interested in shooting and wanted a Red Ryder BB gun. He unwrapped one that Christmas, and his Grandad thought he’d show him how to use it. Jake told his Grandad he wasn’t sure if that was a good idea in the house. Grandad overrode the concern; the BB hit a knot in the wood paneling and nearly took out Grandad’s eye when it ricocheted.
After completing 1st grade in the Coalwood school, he and his sister Grace boarded with a woman in Miles City, and he started 2nd grade in town. Later he moved permanently to Miles City with his parents. He graduated from Custer County High School in 1958. After high school, he attended a year at the community college because he was interested in architecture.
Jake was also interested in a variety of sports and activities, playing basketball earlier in school and varsity football in high school. He played baseball in earlier leagues and later played Legion ball under Coach Bob Nees, who thought he had a heck of a curve ball. He played various positions including 3rd base, outfield, 2nd base and pitcher. Over the years he tried tennis and skiing, won awards in archery, and enjoyed fly fishing. He took flying lessons, completing all his training up to the final flight test. The test was quite expensive for him at that time, and he decided to pass it up in favor of having a family.
On July 28, 1963, he married Donna Waldow, also of Miles City, and they honeymooned in Yellowstone National Park, which remained a favorite place to visit throughout his life. They bought a 15-acre farm east of Miles City in the Yellowstone valley. Initially they got a cow, but in typical bovine fashion, it treated fences as mere suggestions, lunching frequently in the neighbor’s flower beds. They switched to sheep, which they raised for 57 years, added two daughters who may have been harder to fence in than the cow, and later raised Appaloosa horses.
One of Jake’s first jobs was delivering telegrams out of the Miles Howard Hotel on Main Street. While he was still in high school, his father died, and he took a job manually setting pins at the bowling alley to help his mom make ends meet. He then worked with Harry Griffith making dentures, until Harry suggested Jake find a job that paid more than Harry could pay him. Jake began tarring roofs for Cuttings Sheet Metal and Roofing, though that was only seasonal work while the weather was nice. He found a more permanent job working on the railroad, but it turned out he was color blind and that made the job difficult. During this time, he also joined the Army National Guard, completing boot camp in Kentucky and participating in training exercises for 6 years. Jake landed a job with MDU Utilities, hired as summer help at first. He ended up working for MDU for 38 years, retiring in 2002 as the Gas Foreman in the local office.
He was a hard worker, self-sufficient, and talented at both fixing and building things. When the girls were little, he’d come home after work, eat dinner, and then work on the addition he had designed and was building onto the house. He built every rafter by hand, ran electrical, gas and plumbing lines, built shelves and cupboards in the new library, and did the finishing work. Later in his life, Jake became interested in building furniture, producing large bookcases, desks, dressers, convertible crib/beds for his grandchildren, and so much more.
His family includes his wife, Donna, daughter Shelley (Michael) Kilbon and their son Harrison, and daughter Jolane Flanigan and her daughter Adeline. Jake was preceded in death by his parents, his three siblings, and two nieces. Special thanks goes out to the palliative and hospice care office in Holy Rosary Hospital. Kelly, Holly, Melissa and Patsy gave immeasurable help and support to both Jake and his family. Jake and his family have also been grateful to family, friends and neighbors for their support and kindness.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Bill and Sharon Oftedal says
Donna and the rest of Jake’s family–we’re so sorry to see this ! Jake was one of the good ones, and we know he’ll be missed.
Tom Zuelke says
Donna and girls,
I’m so sorry to hear this. Your entire family is in my thoughts. Hugs
Carole and Dave Richards says
Donna, Shelley & Jo, so very sorry to hear of Uncle Jake’s passing! Please keep your memories close. He will be truly missed!
Darlene and Ed Songer says
So so sorry to hear of Uncle Jake’s passing! I’ll always remember his infectious laughter and Dad and his adventures when you came to the ranch! Hugs to you Aunt Donna and Shelley and Jolene. Thoughts and prayers for you all!
Dale Valach says
To the Flannigan Family
I am saddened to hear of Jake’s passing. I was fortunate to have him as my supervisor on the MDU Gas Crew in the Summers of 73 & 74. I was just the “Summer Talent” on the work end of a shovel in the trenches. Still, Jake was very fair and kind to me. He was also fun to work with, as were Gary Steiner, Alex Gable and David Nation. Those were good times. On behalf of the extended Valach family, please accept our condolences.