John Fladeland Sr., 67, formerly of Red Lake Falls, MN, died Sunday, November 10, 2002 at his home in Fisher, MN from complications related to cancer.

Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, November 13, 2002 at St. John Lutheran Church, Red Lake Falls, MN, with Reverend Jeffrey Lytle officiating. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, Red Lake Falls. MN.

Visitation will be 5 " 8 PM. Tuesday, November 12, 2002 at St. John Lutheran Church, Red Lake Falls, MN, with a 7 PM prayer service and for one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.

John Andrew Fladeland Sr., was born January 24, 1935, at Grand Forks, ND, the son of Andrew and Pauline (Guenther) Fladeland. He was baptized into the Lutheran Faith on February 21, 1935 and confirmed on April 11, 1948 at St. John Lutheran Church, Red Lake Falls, MN. He grew up and attended Belmont Country School near Buxton, ND and also attended school in Red Lake Falls as well as the Agricultural College in Crookston, MN.

On February 12, 1965, John was united in marriage to Ruth Suonvieri at Moorhead, MN. John spent most of his life in Red Lake Falls, MN, where he farmed with his brother, Terry and father Andrew as a part of Fladeland Farms. While farming was Johns primary vocation and love; he also engaged in other businesses including custom combining from Texas to MN, Fladeland Ag Service, an Air Vend business in CA and a paving company in Battle Lake, MN, where he and his wife Ruth spent the last 10 summers, while wintering in Arizona near their daughter Kimberly. He also served in the Minnesota National Guard.

Always engaged in life and its many adventures, John and Ruth traveled the country for both business and pleasure. Making many life-long friends in the process, those friends helped support and sustain John and Ruth in the last months of his battle with cancer, in Arizona, Battle Lake and Fisher.

John was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Red Lake Falls, an associate member of Mountain View Lutheran Church in Apache Junction, AZ and a member of the Red Lake Falls American Legion Post #22. He liked to hunt, fish, golf and play cards. He loved spending time with his grandchildren.

John is survived by his wife of 37 years, Ruth (Suonvieri) Fladeland, Fisher, MN; and 5 children: daughters, Kimberly (Chris) Mercer, Chandler, AZ, Patty (Kevin) Murray, Gays Mills, WI, Pam Rodriguez, Elk Village, Il, and sons Harvey, Rowlett, TX and John Junior, Burlington, NC. John was the proud grandfather of 12 grandchildren, ranging in age from 18 to 2 years. John is also survived by his sisters, Julia Rutherford and Elizabeth (Earl) Wagner; both Fisher, MN and his brother, Terrance (Jeri) Fladeland, Hatton, ND, also survived by 6 cousins. John was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Pauline, and his brother, Teddy.

The family is grateful for the many people who have given years of support and care to John and Ruth during Johns long and complicated battle with heart disease, stroke and cancer.