James M. Flaa was born on September 9, 1918, in Baxter Township, Lac Qui Parle County, MN, to Martin and Anna (Estenstad) Flaa. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Baxter Township. He attended country school and graduated from Boyd High School in 1936.
After high school Jim worked and farmed in the Boyd and Dawson area. He was united in marriage to Clara Winslow on February 14, 1942, in Rochester, MN. He entered the Army Air Force on September 10, 1942, and was honorably discharged on November 7, 1945. They continued to farm until their retirement.
Jim was very active in the Strand Saboe VFW Post #5247 and Oscar Lee Post #177 of Dawson, Trinity Lutheran Church in Boyd, Farmers Union, and the ASCS Office. He served as VFW District Commander and for several years as Lac Qui Parle County Commissioner. He enjoyed flying and was very proud of getting his pilot's license.
He married Ethel Bergstrom and they made their home in the Dugan Apartments in Dawson. Jim entered the Johnson Memorial Home in Dawson in April of 1996, and remained there until his death on Thursday, January 14, 1999, at the age of 80 years, 4 months, and 5 days.
He is survived by his 3 daughters: Ethel Hill of Golden Valley, Janis Szczech of Maple Grove, and Mary Flaa of Chandler, AZ; 2 sons: Gary of Granite Falls and John (Carol) of Sunland, CA; 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; brother, Irving Flaa of Dawson; sister, Margaret (Jim) Bradley of Thousand Palms, CA; nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Clara.