Anthony "Tony" Neal Flaten

Anthony “Tony” Flaten, 54, of Portland, ND passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at Portland, surrounded by his loving family and friends, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Tony was born April 11, 1955 to Glenn and Shirley (Anderson) Flaten in Mayville, ND. He graduated from May-Port High School in 1973 and from NDSCS in Wahpeton, ND in 1975. He married Dawn Nelson and together they had one son. Tony worked as a mechanic for several companies until he and Jeff Johnson started their own truck shop, Flaten and Johnson Truck Equipment in 1993, which he currently was still operating. In 1982 he married Lona Swenson in Portland and together they had two daughters. Tony loved his Harley-Davidson motorcycles, bowling, hunting, trap shooting, the lake, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was ordained over the internet and officiated a wedding for a very special couple in his life, Nick and Cindy Strand. Tony is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Lona Flaten of Portland; son, Derek (Katie) Flaten of Minneapolis, MN; two daughters, Nicole Flaten of Portland, and Jena Flaten (Fiancé Cole Jorissen) of Dazey, ND; grandchildren, Serenity and Sophie Gebhardt, Greta Flaten, baby boy Jorissen, on the way, and baby Flaten, on the way. He is also survived by his mother, Shirley Thykeson of Portland; brothers, Kirk Flaten of Watford City, ND, Todd Flaten of Mayville, and Jason Thykeson of Portland; sisters, Glenda (Eddy) Haugen of Portland, Susan (Mark) Webster of Reynolds, ND, Shelly (Brian) Aune of Mayville, and Trina Thykeson of Portland; mother-in-law, Nola (Dale) Griggs of Fargo, ND; brothers-in-law, Todd (Mary) Swenson, Troy (Jennifer) Swenson and Noel (Becky) Swenson, all of Fargo; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; and many special friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Glenn, step-father, Kenny Thykeson, and father-in-law, James Swenson. Memorial service: 4:00 PM on Sunday, March 14, 2010 with a visitation starting at 2:00 PM, at the KT Hall in Portland.