James Richard Flanscha, age 49 of Hudson, died suddenly as a result of a heart attack on Friday morning, December 24th 2010 at the Hudson Hospital. James was born on March 15, 1961 in Hudson, Wisconsin; the son of Alvin and Donna (Spurlock) Flanscha. He was raised in River Falls where he attended St. Bridget’s Parochial School before graduating from the River Falls High School. In October of 92’, he was married to the former Shelby Podgorak. To this union, daughters Danielle and Amanda were born. This union would later dissolve. For many years, he worked as a truck driver for Waste Management. More recently, he worked for the Hudson Bowling Center cleaning or tending bar. He was an avid sports fan. He loved the Green Bay Packers and idolized Bart Starr. Moreover, he was a devout Wisconsin Badger and Milwaukee Brewer fan. His dream was to be a sports caster and be the next Bob Uecker. He also enjoyed drawing and was a self taught comic strip artist. In 2007, James was diagnosed with dermatomyoitis; an auto immune disease which affects muscle. Even as his health declined, he enjoyed cracking jokes and making people laugh; especially his girls. Nothing gave him greater rewards than to see his daughters smile; they meant the world to him.
James is survived by his daughters, Danielle and Amanda; sister, Jeanne (John) Rohl of Prescott; three brothers: Chuck (Star) of Colorado, Mike (Linda) of River Falls, and Tom of Colorado; extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for James on Wednesday, December 29th at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1500 Vine St. in Hudson. Burial will be in the St. Bridget’s Cemetery in River Falls with active casketbearers being Sam Flanscha, Stephanie Flanscha, John Rohl Jr., Adam Rohl, John “Buggsy” Moran, and Allie Flanscha. Honorary casketbearers will be Dan Klatt and as his buddies at the Hudson Bowling Center. Visitations will be one hour prior to Mass at church and on Tuesday, December 28th from 4 until 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 6:45 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be used for his daughters well being. Funeral services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Homes. www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com