Jerome Jack "Jerry" Fladung

"The best role model, supporter and hardest working father anyone could have."
Jerome (Jerry) Fladung was reunited with mom (Nancy Lee Rogers Fladung) Sunday, March 9, 2025 at the age of 95+.
The youngest and last of ten children, Jerry was born to Anton and Frances Fladung on November 12, 1929 in Elrosa, Minnesota. Jerry lived in Blackduck, Minnesota for over 40 years after moving there with his family of eight siblings in May 1937. Jerry met his lovely wife, Nancy Lee Rogers, in 1956 during a dance at Shaw's Barn near Blackduck. They were married on August 31, 1957 at Saint Ann's Catholic Church in Blackduck and celebrated 64 years of marriage.
Jerry had a time-honored life of work starting at the age of sixteen where he helped in sawing lumber and later operating a Cat dozer which would become his passion throughout his life. In 1949 and 1950, he began his employment with the Minnesota State Forestry in Blackduck. In November 1950, due to the Korean War he joined the United States Air Force and after basic training was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base as a Senior Construction Equipment Operator. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force he continued working for the State Forestry. In 1966 he went to work for DeVac installing windows across the country including the Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs, CO. In 1970 he went to work for Bemidji State University as a carpenter. In 1976 he realized his passion and started his own construction company doing dirt work, land clearing, building roads for private parties, townships, counties, state, and federal forestry. He retired in 2018 at the age of eighty-seven. From 1994 to 2020, Jerry and Nancy spent their winters in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico returning in the spring to Blackduck and eventually their home on Upper Red Lake at Rogers Resort. Jerry was a member of the American Legion since 1952 and Knights of Columbus since 1948. He also served as president of the Blackduck golf course for two years.
Jerry is survived by his children Lynn (Wayne) Walstead, Roger (Jayne) Fladung, and Jeff Fladung. His grandchildren, Jessica (Jeff) Thron, Ryan (Allyson) Kraft, Whitney (Rob) Moore, Erin (Justin) Fox, Christian Fladung, great-grandchildren Lyndsey Thron and Parker Fox, along with many nieces and nephews.
Jerry will be greatly missed by his family and fondly remembered by many who had the pleasure of knowing him or having him do heavy equipment work of some fashion over the years sculpting many areas of northern Minnesota. A heartfelt thank you to the staff at Guardian Angels by The Lake in Elk River, who helped care for Jerry the past two years, and during his final days. A special thank you to all the Allina Hospice team who made Jerry's journey as comfortable as possible. He especially enjoyed the visits from the massage and music therapists, and his companion visitor, Heidi.
A funeral mass to include a celebration of life for both Jerry and Nancy will be held this summer at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Blackduck. Further details will be provided later.