Larry Flagler

Larry D. Flagler, of Topeka, Kansas passed away Saturday, February 19th, 2022, after a nearly three-year battle with lung cancer at the age of 83.  He is preceded in death by his wife, Linda Flagler of Topeka, KS; his parents, Herman and Myrtle Flagler; his sister Kay Zeman of WaKeeney, KS; and his brother Worley (Jane) Flagler of Overland Park, KS.  He is survived by his sister Joyce Morlong, of Manhattan, KS.

Larry was born on August 26, 1938, on a farm in Collyer, Kansas.  After graduating high school, Larry served in the US Navy from 1956-1959.  He was granted an early discharge due to hardship when his father Herman passed away at age 46 on Christmas Day.  Larry then took over the family farm and cared for his mother and siblings.

Larry married Linda Elene Wagner in 1960 and the couple had three daughters; Shawn (Pat) Mahoney of Overland Park, KS; Shannon (Joel) Bruggen of Winston-Salem, NC; and Erin (Richard) Woodall of Overland Park, KS.  They purchased a farm southwest of Ogallah, KS where he farmed wheat and raised cattle until they moved to Russell, KS.  In Russell, they owned and operated a Gamble store for nearly 10 years.  Larry’s girls remember hanging out on the sofas in the store, riding the bikes, and testing the many fun items that were to be sold.  The local pharmacy and soda fountain were right across the street, so many hours were clocked getting money from dad to go buy ice cream and candy.

Larry and Linda divorced in 1980 and Larry moved to Topeka, KS where he started a new career in car sales and a new chapter in his life.  He was very successful, winning Top Salesman many years running.  In 1982, Larry met and married Linda Anderegg, and they owned and operated Select Auto Sales in North Topeka until they retired in 2004.

Linda had two children, Dona Anderegg of Meriden, KS, and Danny (Dee) Anderegg of Tecumseh, KS.

Larry is survived by their combined family of five children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The grandchildren are Ella (David) Filston; Ben Bruggen; Stella, Johnny, and Bo Woodall; Mercedes (Kory) Suppes; Dakota Anderegg; and Erin (Levi) Tarwater.  The seven great-grandchildren are Abrahm, Adelynn, Josiah, Isaiah, and Katie Tarwater; and Mac and Jax Suppes.  Larry grew up in the Lutheran faith and was a member of the Masonic Lodge.  During the winter, Larry and Linda spent many years traveling to Fiesta Village in Mission, TX where they met numerous life-long friends.  He continued to spend winters in Texas after Linda’s passing in August of 2017.  Larry loved enjoying the warm weather and playing bridge, pitch, and golf.

In retirement, he enjoyed his family, his grandchildren, and was an avid gardener.  Larry was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2019 and given a prognosis of six months.  Larry “beat the odds” just like he often did at the casino!!  Larry spent two more winters in Mission TX, took a trip to western Kansas to get on a combine again to cut wheat, spent 45 days recovering from a COVID diagnosis he was told he would not survive, got on a combine again a few months ago, and then finally succumbed to his illness.  While fighting cancer, Larry would be heard saying “the best medicine for me is about a 75-degree day sitting in the sun, listening to the birds sing, and watching the garden grow.”

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no services at this time but rather a celebration of life at a later date.  Larry’s remains will be buried at Rochester Cemetery in Topeka, KS.