Kenneth Eugene Flanders

Funeral services for Kenneth Eugene Flanders, 83, Lawrence, KS will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2015 at the University Community of Christ Church in Lawrence. A private burial will be held following the service. He passed away peacefully with family Sunday, December 28, 2014 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

He was born August 26, 1931 in Highland, KS the son of Jesse R. and Bertha E. (Cluck) Flanders.

Ken was born a twin with his dear sister Kathryn (Kate) and two brothers Raymond and Thomas. Raymond, newly married at the age of twenty-one assumed the role of father for Ken and Kate when they were six years old, which kept them from being placed in an orphanage and potentially separated. What Ray provided for the twins was never forgotten, each and every day of their lives.

He married the love of his life, Goldie E. Marsh on December 11, 1949 in Fanning, KS. Ken went on to be a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman, with which the GI Bill paved his way to be able to attend the University of Kansas. There, he and Goldie were able to see Wilt “the Stilt’ Chamberlain play basketball on every occasion possible. Ken was a proud graduate of the School of Pharmacy and practiced for over 50 years, establishing relationships with patients that are indelible.

Ken went on to become a Seventy in the Community of Christ Church, which alludes to the New Testament account of Jesus’ commission of seventy missionaries, considered to be a Senior Elder.

His love of flying, fishing, and hunting with his children and grandchildren were hallmarks of the man he was.

Goldie preceded him in death on October 1, 2014. The passing of an infant son, Stephen Flanders, occurred in 1951 at the age of four months. Additionally, Ken’s brothers Raymond and Thomas precede his passing.

Survivors include one daughter; Kathy Bachman (Jeff) Portland, OR, two sons, Jerry (Joanna) and Brent (Lisa) Flanders of Lawrence including seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren and his twin sister, Kathryn E. Bowen, Springfield, MO.

Visitation will be held at Warren-McElwain Mortuary from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2015.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ken’s name to the University Community of Christ Church (1900 University Drive) or The United States Department of Veterans Affairs and may be sent in care of the mortuary.

9 Condolences

  1. robyn herzog on December 29, 2014 at 6:54 pm

    I’m so sorry yo hear bout kenny he always has a smile that lite up a room
    I will miss his laugh and .always talk bout grand kids with a twinkle in his eyes god bless robyn herzog



  2. Deborah (Davies) Petrie on December 30, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    I am sorry to hear about Uncle Ken, and will always remember the kind, loving person he was. I fondly remember visiting Uncle Ken and Aunt Goldie in their home in Hiawatha, Ks, and seeing Uncle Ken at his pharmacy. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time. God Bless You!



  3. Sharon and Jeb Humbert on December 30, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    We are so sorry to hear of Uncle Ken’s passing. This has been quite a hard year for all of you. My Dad (Thomas) was so proud of his little brother and I know there is a big reunion going on up there. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! We know that he was very well liked by everyone and that many will be missing him along with you.



  4. Randall Rahe on December 30, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    Condolences and prayers for your family. I remember your father fondly and was so sorry to hear of his passing.



  5. Clyde Davies on December 31, 2014 at 10:58 am

    So sorry for Kens passing, As he and Goldie were class mates of mine. We double dated and I mourn the loss of an aunt and now her husband. Also his twin sister Kathryn loss of dear brother



  6. Linda and Steve Estep on December 31, 2014 at 11:54 am

    Words cannot express how deeply affected I was by Uncle Ken’s passing. He always had a smile, a hug, and such kind words for all who knew him. He also had an ornery side that would leave us kids with ears that would “burn” after he rubbed them till they were red…….but oh sweet memories of such a precious man. His suffering is over, and he is with his beloved wife Goldie, and brothers Ray and Tom, but especially with his Lord and Savior whom he loved with all his heart. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, Kathy, Brent and Jerry and your families. Losing both parents so close together has to extremely hard. We love you all and pray for the Lord to give you comfort and peace during this time of loss.
    Linda (Flanders, Tom’s daughter) and Steve Estep



  7. Chet Marsh on January 1, 2015 at 8:47 am

    Shocked to hear of Ken’s untimely death. He was a dear friend and was married to my cousin Goldie. They had a difficult life but perservered to lead successful lives. There is a nice reunion going on inn Heaven And I send my condolences to the family and especially to Twin Kate. We’ll all see him soon. Chet Marsh.



  8. Dave Wisherd on January 3, 2015 at 11:29 am

    Kenny was a truly sincere and gracious man. I first met him and his wonderful family through his brother Ray who had taken me on as a step son. Much as he had done for Kenny and his sister Kate after they had lost their parents, Ray took me on at 12 years old after my own dad had died. Thus, I was able to share with Kenny that common bond to a very special man who much influenced my life. I last met Kenny when he presented a eulogy at my mother’s funeral. He still presented the same empathy and kindness as he had first shown to us almost 50 years earlier. The world is better for his presence and will miss him.



  9. Sandy Nease on January 25, 2015 at 6:11 pm

    I just learned about Ken’s passing, and he will be missed by his family he and his wife, Goldie, were a very special couple. He will also be missed by a good friend of theirs, Ethylene Strohmeyer, Shawnee, OK.



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