Obituary of Gilbert Eldor Flentge

Gilbert Eldor Flentge

28 November 1928 – 17 February 2020

 

Gilbert Flentge, of Tacoma, Washington joined his wife, Emma Lee in eternal rest on 17 February 2020 at the age of 91. Emma Lee Riser Flentge passed away on 9 September 1993.  They are both interned at Belmont Memorial Park, Fresno, California. 

 

In lieu of flowers, if you wish, pick a charity of your choice to donate in the Flentge Family name.

 

Gil is known for his faith, gentleness and kindness. He believed that everyone has value and actively offered an encouraging and helping hand to those that needed one.  He lived his life as an example to others through his insistence of compassionate living, continual learning, self-improvement, strong work ethics, and always putting his family and others before himself.

 

His parents and grandparents had survived the tragic era of the hoof-and-mouth devastation that began around 1897 and Gilbert suffered the residual affects contracting scurvy as a young child. At age 6 he began helping to provide for his family by hunting squirrels and rabbits, working the fields and caring for the limited livestock on his grandfather’s farm near Rosebud, Texas.

 

Education was important to Gil and his family. He stressed this to his children and everyone else he mentored.  After graduating from the 8^th grade he purchased and operated his own riding stables at the age of 14, providing “unofficial” therapy to recovering soldiers at a VA hospital close by.  Surviving the hardships of the Great Depression, the calamity of the Dust Bowl era, and the destruction of his stables by accidental fire, Gilbert moved to California with his parents Eldor and Bertha at the age of 17.  Uncle Bill had convinced them that life would be better there and California would give them an opportunity to have their own farm.

 

Gilbert was a true cowboy, riding before he could walk, as they say, having a heart of gold and the skills of an animal whisperer. Working as a cowboy, rodeo rider, horse trainer, farmer, bowling pin setter (before automation), delivery man, teamster (truck driver), and water well driller, Gilbert added to his exceptional value as a compassionate, kind human being and always put his family’s needs above his own aspirations and dreams.

 

Gilbert married the love of his life, Emma Lee Riser of Fresno, California in 1950. They have 3 children:  David Eldor Flentge (b/d 11/19/1952) of Tacoma, Washington; Kathleen Belle Flentge (b/d 9/3/1954) of Marion, Montana; Daryl Gilbert Flentge (b/d 5/17/1960, d/d 8/7/1980); and have 4 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

 

Gilbert and Emma Lee settled in the Fresno, California area after their marriage until 1966 when he moved his family to Anchorage, Alaska, following his Uncle Bill (William S. Blanton) and Aunt Elsie (Will) to drill water wells. Gilbert ended with a career as a Teamster. Gil and Emma Lee moved back to Fresno in 1985. Eventually Gil moved to Tacoma, WA. to be near his oldest son, David.

Kathleen can be contacted at:  AllMostaRanch@hotmail.com

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Gilbert Flentge , please visit our Tree Store