Funeral services for Kenneth E. Flatness, 85, of Albert Lea will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Sean Forde will officiate. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be at 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Kenneth died Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, at Prairie Senior Cottages in Albert Lea.

Kenneth Earl Flatness was born Sept. 21, 1931, in Clarks Grove, the son of Palmer and Hattie (Hanson) Flatness. He grew up in the Freeborn County area, attending school in Clarks Grove. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church. On Sept. 15, 1951, Kenneth married Patricia Emma Cox in Mason City, Iowa. Patricia passed in 1969. On June 30, 1971, Kenneth married Arlene Doris (Neumann) Hauge. Kenneth was a truck driver for Freeborn Foods until his retirement in 1990. He was a member of the Teamsters Union and the Eagles Club. Kenneth enjoyed fishing at his cabin on Lake Francis in Elysian, buying and remodeling homes and gardening.  He liked playing dominoes with Shirley and Marvin Bratrud who he loved like a brother. As a young man, Kenneth and Pat loved to go dancing. Holidays were always special to spend with his family and watching all the grandchildren grow up so fast.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Arlene; brother, Glen Flatness; children Joann (Gary) Willemsen of Mason City, Katherine (Roger) Christensen of Alden, Geraldine (Daniel) Bratrud of Kensett, Thomas (Debra) Flatness of Glenville, Keith (Angie) Flatness of Albert Lea, Larry Hauge of Northwood and Linda (Rick) Drescher of Albert Lea; 19 grandchildren, Karen Crimmings, Kevin Willemsen, Chad Christensen, Derek Christensen, Shane Christensen, Stephen Bratrud, Judd Bratrud, Tom Flatness Jr., Nicholas Flatness, Joshua Flatness, Jennifer Flatness, Josh Flatness, Brady Flatness, Dalton Flatness, Chris Hauge, Melissa Hauge, Brandon Hauge, Rhonda Jensen and Mark Drescher; 25 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; parents Palmer and Hattie; brothers Irving and Morris; sisters Arlene Saltou and Doris Jensen; and grandson, Stephen Bratrud.

The family would like to thank the staff of Prairie Senior Cottages who took such good care of their dad during his illness.