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.
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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.
Stacy (Entzel) Hall says
Jolane and family,
I am so sorry to hear about the earthly loss of your dad and loved one. Praying that you all feel God’s love and comfort as you celebrate your dad’s life and mourn that he is no longer physically present.
Lee and Marian Zuelke says
Many decades ago Jake taught me to drive a tractor, then helped me restack his neighbor’s wood pile after I knocked it down with the same tractor!
Always enjoyed Jake, he will be missed
Roberta Cauthron says
Although I hadn’t seen Jake in decades, I remember that we both took violin lessons from Mrs. Horn at the Melody Shop, who taught group lessons one summer on her porch. He was always so pleasant during the years we were in school together. My condolences to Donna and the family.
Kim Nelson Gebhardt says
My heart goes out to you all. Losing a loved one is difficult. Please know I’m sending lots of love and hugs your way.
Burch and Linda Palmer says
You were a good soldier Jake. Thank you for your service and for being a friend. Burch
Rob and Sherri Schneidt says
Donna, so very sorry for your loss.
Kevin Donnelly says
Sorry to hear of your loss. Jake was a long time memory of the MDU crews. Always found him to be a good person. May God be him and family.
Rick Huber says
A true gentleman! !!!!
Charlotte Grover says
Donna and family
So sorry to learn of Jack’s passing. I remember him from high school days.
Mollie Phipps says
I met Jake when I won one of their filly’s through 4-H. What a kind and generous soul he was! Thinking of all of his family as you navigate this tremendous loss.
MARTHA Crandall says
My sympathy
carol watts says
We are so sorry to hear this. Always enjoyed a visit with him. He was a good guy. Jim and Carol Watts
Cindy Hafla Conley says
Shelley and family –
So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Thinking of you.
Heidi Armstrong says
Donna, Shelley and Jolane:
I was very sorry to hear of the loss of your husband and father. Reading the obituary brought back many memories. Shelley and Jolane were favorite students of mom’s and Jake and Donna were certainly some of my mom’s favorite Kircher parents. Shelley and I pledged the same sorority at MSU and spent a fun college summer as roommates eating grilled cheese sandwiches and using a kiddie pool off our back deck. I think your dad and my dad pioneered the concept of “girl dad” trying to infuse our lives with practical carpentry and car repair skills. I remember a summer after we graduated from college when we took over your dad’s garage/workshop with our furniture refinishing projects. Your dad checked up on our very slow progress every night when he got home from work. 🙂 I remember that he had a great sense of humor which I think his daughters inherited and that he was very proud of his daughters and their achievements. I hope you take solace in your many happy family memories.
With much sympathy,
STEVE LINDLEY says
Shelley and family. I am very sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. Thinking of you and your family at this time of loss and sending my deepest condolences to you all.