Cleone Catherine Flynn, age 103, of Plainview, Minnesota passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at her home in Plainview with family by her side.

Cleone was born on September 17, 1923, in rural Comfrey, Minnesota to Patrick Henry (Harry) and Bertha (Engesser) Smith. She attended school in Garvin and Walnut Grove, Minnesota graduating in 1941. On November 18, 1942, she married Jerome (Harold) Flynn in Tracy, Minnesota. They farmed near Westbrook, Walnut Grove and Rochester prior to settling at the current family farm near Plainview. Over those 48 years they were blessed with 14 children.

They retired in 1990 and moved into Plainview and began their life of motorhome traveling and spending winter months in Apache Junction, Arizona. Cleone spent 33 winters in the warmth and sunshine.

Cleone was a committed member of St. Joachim and St. George Parishes where she spent many volunteer hours. She had a wide array of interests such as gardening, dancing, fishing, reading, playing cards, bingo, and walking. Even at 103 she kept in touch with friends and family through email and Facebook. Throughout her entire life she was an incredible inspiration to others.

Cleone is survived by her 14 children, Mary Dorpinghaus of Waverly, IA, Michael (Cheryl) Flynn of Springfield, MO, Patricia (Ray) Cronin of Isanti, James (Barb) Flynn of Owatonna, Rita (Lyle) Powers of Elgin, Bernita Flynn of Rochester, Eileen (Tim) Herschlip of Kasson, Bridget (Loren) Stensgard of Elgin, Kathleen (Gary) Kitzmann of Rochester, Paul Flynn of Grand Marais, Siobhan Flynn of Mazeppa, Colleen (Charles Wright) Flynn of Stockholm, WI, Joseph (Kathy) Flynn of Elgin, and John Flynn of Melbourne, Australia; 40 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Connie Berndt of St. James, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, son-in-law, Robert Dorpinghaus, her great-granddaughter, Grace Karbacka, her parents, and nine brothers and sisters.

Mass of Chrisitan burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church in Plainview with Father Tojy Jose officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Burial will be in St. Joachim’s Catholic Cemetery in Plainview.