Obituary of Elmo Flansburgh

Elmo Flansburgh August 5, 1925 – April 10, 2021 Elmo Flansburgh was born on a farm near Grace City, ND to Russell & Leora Flansburgh. When he was 4 years old, his world was turned upside down with the sudden death of his father, and shortly thereafter moved off the farm. Even at that tender age, farming was already in his blood. When he was 14, he started working on farms and ranches in Montana. On December 7, 1941 his world was rocked again with the attack on Pearl Harbor. Only 17, he enlisted in the Navy and spent the next 3 years in the South Pacific. After the war, fate took him to Howards Manufacturing in Kent, Washington where he met Roberta, the love of his life. Four years and three children later, they rented a farm, bought some Jersey cows and started a Dairy Farm in Shelton Valley, Washington, where they added another child, making their family complete. He also worked in the area for Simpson Logging Company. Then one day Elmo heard about the Columbia Basin Project. Yearning for his own farm, he applied and in 1960 he moved to Block 20 near Basin City, WA. With good land and a good woman by his side, prayers and hard work turned sage brush and blow sand into a farm. Dad always said: “I felt very fortunate to be able to make a living doing the only thing I ever wanted to do.” Dad was a hard worker who lived a life of perseverance, high moral standards and the belief that you could achieve whatever you wanted to, if you worked hard enough. He was always there when someone needed a hand, often helping them before his own farm work was done. He had a quirky sense of humor and a love for the Lord. On April 10, 2021 he hung up his shovel and drank his last cup of coffee. Preceding him in death are his parents, his loving wife Roberta, Grandson Jon, great granddaughter Erin, a brother Dewey and a sister Russella. He leaves one sister Theo, his four children Letha (Don), Russell (Sherrie), Mary (Dean), and Christy (Rick), seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Stevens Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial Contributions may go to: Billy Graham Evangelism Association, Tri City Hospice, or the Columbia Basin Livestock Show