Obituary: Ann M. Flathers

Ann M. Flathers, 87, passed away Monday, Dec. 6, 2016, at the Care & Comfort Home. Vigil services will be held at 7: p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, 2016, at St. Jude Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, also at St. Jude with Father Daniel Wathen officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.

Ann's family has requested that memorial donations be made in her name to St. Jude Catholic Church, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or to the Northern Montana Care Center Foot Clinic.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Ann's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Ann was born on July 18, 1929, in Long Prairie, Minnesota, the youngest of several children born to Vincent and Elizabeth (Lensing) Nanik. She was raised in the Long Prairie area, until her high school graduation at 16.

Following her graduation, she moved to Havre to help her sister Hattie during the birth of her first child. While in Havre, Ann attended Northern Montana College and received her associate degree as a legal secretary. She also met a wonderful young man, and Aug. 5, 1948, she married Leonard "Red" Flathers. The couple remained together, working hard and caring for their seven children, until Red passed away in 1985.

Ann began training as a nurse at Sacred Heart Hospital after the birth of her children, and continued to work as an LPN for the next 50 years at Sacred Heart, and then for Northern Montana Hospital, retiring in 2014. She also worked for many years as a Nurse at the Senior Connections Foot Clinic.

Ann was a strong, independent woman, who was happiest when helping others. She became the "block nurse" in her neighborhood, never turning anyone away. She loved her children, and those she viewed as hers, unconditionally, no matter the choices they made. She also enjoyed rose gardening and caring for the many plants she had around the house.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband Red Flathers; her son-in-law Jon Ziegler; her great-granddaughter Jazmyne Ziegler; all her siblings; and her parents Vincent and Elizabeth Nanik.

She is survived by her seven children, Sharon Ziegler of Havre, Connie Hart of Thermopolis, Wyoming, Timothy (Debbie) Flathers of Laurel, Gayle (Lorren) Schlotfeldt of Havre, Gary (Cindy) Flathers of Montana City, Bruce (Marlys) Flathers of Havre, and Mary Lynn (Rod) Hart of Thermoplis, Wyoming; 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.