KEITH MARLIN FLATEN

KEITH M. FLATEN

Keith Flaten, 63, of Hope, ND, died Monday, March 15, 2021 at the Griggs County Care Center in Cooperstown, ND.

Keith Marlin Flaten was born at Union Hospital Mayville, ND, on July 8, 1957, to Marlin and Solveig (Koppang) Flaten.  He was baptized at his Maternal Grandparents home, Nora and Christian Koppang by the Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Portland, ND.  He was confirmed at Norman Lutheran Church, Clifford, ND.

Keith graduated from Hope Public School in 1976.  In the fall of 1976, Keith and his Dad, Marlin, put up a hog barn with 20 farrowing stalls.  Keith stated it took a whole load of hogs to buy an engagement ring for the love of his life, Susan Brena Kroeplin.  Keith married Susan on July 7, 1979 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hope, ND The couple raised two children, Timothy and Sarah, on the farm.  After farming, Keith and Susan moved into Hope where he worked for Wayne Kroeplin Construction and later for Schmitz Insurance Company.  Keith served as a Director on the Clifford Elevator Board from 1997 to 2000.  He served on the Broadlawn Township Board.  Keith was finance secretary at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hope, ND for many years.

As a young kid, Keith was proud of his champion beef at the Steele County 4-H Days.  Keith loved playing high school football and basketball.   He was an avid Green Bay Packer and Minnesota Twins fan.  In 2008, he attended his first professional football game at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin with his son Tim and brother Curt.  Keith enjoyed hunting and fishing and has multiple trophies of fish and deer mounts.  He loved going to the Hope Café for coffee, friends, and politics.  Keith enjoyed gardening with Susan and Keith’s 3 grand girls were his pride and joy.

He will be greatly missed by his wife, Susan, of 41 years; one son, Tim (Allie) Flaten, Fargo, ND, one daughter Sarah (Adam) Kubista, West Fargo, ND; three granddaughters, Natalee, Abigail, and Bridget Kubista; his parents, Marlin and Solveig, Portland, ND; brothers Curt (Donna) Flaten, Hope, ND; Neil (Lisa) Flaten, West Fargo, ND; sister Lori (Kelvin) Dalby, Winger, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 18, 2021 from 5:00 till 7:00 in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Hope, ND, with a Prayer Service at 7:00, visitation will continue Friday, March 19, 2021 from 9:30 till 10:30 am followed by a funeral service at 10:30 in the Trinity Lutheran Church Hope, ND.  Interment will be in the Hope Cemetery.