Longtime Sandy resident, Kenneth R. Flath died peacefully on Thursday, September 15, 2011 at Cascadia Village Retirement. He was 89.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sandy. A private family burial will follow at Willamette National Cemetery.
Kenneth Robert William Flath was born on March 24, 1922 in Sebeka, Minnesota. He was raised in Sebeka and began his schooling in a one room school house. At the age of 14, his family moved to Oregon and made their home in Sandy where he finished his education. Shortly after from graduating from Sandy High School he entered the U.S. Army on October 14, 1942. After his honorable discharge on January 5, 1946, he moved to Seattle, Washington where he was employed at Boeing. In 1948, Kenneth returned to Sandy and was married to Shirley Olson on January 23, 1948. They made their permanent home in Sandy where they raised their family and Kenneth worked with his father and brother’s at Koch’s Mill. Kenneth later became a carpenter and worked with his father in law at Olson Construction, building many Sandy Businesses. He later was employed for various construction companies in the Portland area until retiring at age 67.
Kenneth was passionate about hunting and fishing and enjoyed spending time outdoors. He enjoyed playing pinochle and was a very competitive player. He loved his family and treasured the times spent with them. Kenneth was a longtime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and helped build the Sanctuary. He will be remembered as a man with a strong opinion, but loving.
Surviving are his daughters, Vicki Ulmen and Rebecca Hanning both of Sandy; his son Robert Flath of Mt. Vernon, Oregon; 7 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Shirley in 2008.
The family suggests contributions be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church Building Fund.