Harold “Tubby” Flater

Harold “Tubby” Flater, 94, Holcombe, passed away, Monday, July 13, 2026, at Cornell Health Services.

Tubby was born Oct. 25, 1931, on the family farm, in the Town of Birch Creek, in Chippewa County.

He attended rural schools, from first through eighth grade, walking uphill both ways to school and graduated from Holcombe High School, in 1949. From there, he attended Eau Claire Teacher’s College, for three years.

Tubby joined the Army, Oct. 5, 1953. When his father died in a hunting accident, he received a hardship discharge from the Army, in January of 1954, to assist his mother in running the family resort, that was started in 1938.

He married JoAnn Klund, June 14, 1954, and took over running Flater’s Resort, where they raised their three children. In the 1960s, Tubby and JoAnn started a mobile home park – long before RVs existed!

Tubby served as the chairman, for the Town of Washington, for three years; served on the Rusk County Board, for 20 years; and he was on the Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative Board (CVEC), for 48 years. During his time on the CVEC board, he also spent time representing the cooperative on the Wisconsin Electric Cooperatives Association (WECA) Board and the RESCO Board.

He was instrumental in starting the Lake Holcombe Resort Association, Indianhead ATV Club, Flambeau Area Trail Tenders, and developing recreational trails in Rusk and Chippewa counties.

In retirement, Tubby and JoAnn enjoyed spending their winters in Port Isabel, Texas, at their sea cottage and their summers at their home on the Chippewa River.

If Tubby wasn’t maintaining the campground or hauling canoes, he was usually found playing cribbage down at the bar or golfing at one of the area golf courses.

He is survived by his loving children – Jim (Paula) Flater, Holcombe, Joe (fiancé Angie) Flater, Holcombe, and Jane (Dan) Joy, Pound; honorary son – Steve Folgate, Byron, Minn.; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; his sister – Hilda Trudeau, Luck; his brother-in-law – Monte (Char) Klund, Holcombe; his sister-in-law – Deb Klund, Bruce; his – nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife – JoAnn Klund; parents – Harry and Mary (Brainerd) Flater; twobrothers – Ray and Earl Flater; and sister – Ardythe Buchholz.

A memorial service/celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Nash-Jackan Funeral Home in Ladysmith, is assisting the family.