Lucas "Luke" Nathaniel Flatt

Lucas “Luke” Nathaniel Flatt, 39, of Cooperstown, North Dakota, passed away on September 9, 2026. He leaves behind a lifetime of stories, laughter, wild ideas, and love that those closest to him will carry always. Luke was hardworking, stubborn to his core—a family trait—and always down for a good time. He worked endless, demanding hours to provide for his family and enjoyed spending the last ten years employed at Finley Farmers in Cooperstown. His work ethic and need for cleanliness were matched by his confidence in his carpentry skills, although those who witnessed his projects might have offered a different assessment. Thankfully, Luke knew how to laugh at himself. A kid at heart, Luke was happiest bantering with Jourdyn about whose turn it was to take care of the animals, getting down on the floor to play cars, wrestling with his boys, and stirring up fun with his children, nieces, and nephews. He was everyone’s “Fun Uncle Luke,” always ready to join the action and usually bringing a wild idea of his own. For someone so willing to try just about anything, he was also famously terrified of the dark—a detail those who loved him won’t soon let him live down. Luke enjoyed golf, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, hunting, fishing, cars, and music—especially the same five songs, played over and over. Whether snowmobiling in the mountains with his brother or a good ole’ derby with a couple of his best buddies, he was up for an adventure. Some of his favorite times were spent in the garage with “The Village,” his circle of friends and family. There was joking, talking, laughing, plenty of banter, and maybe a little drinking. Those ordinary hours together are now some of the memories his people hold closest. Luke shared his life with his wife, Crystal, and his children, Jourdyn, Trek, Ruger, and Garrett. His love was special, and its depth was often best known by those he let closest. They knew the heart behind the stubbornness, the humor, and the long hours he worked for his family. Luke’s life was cut short following a long, difficult battle with mental health challenges. His family shares this part of his story with the hope that it reminds others that mental health matters and that the struggles people carry are not always visible. Asking for help is a sign of strength, never weakness. In Luke’s memory, reach out when you are hurting, listen with open ears and without judgment, and remind the people around you that they do not have to face their struggles alone. His family wants Luke remembered for his strength, stubbornness, need for cleanliness, work ethic, humor, and the love he shared with those closest to him. His battles were real, but so was his love. The family Luke leaves behind includes his wife, Crystal; his children, Jourdyn, Trek, Ruger and Garrett; his parents, Michael Flatt and Cynthia (Weisz) Flatt; his in-laws, Connie Rode and Paul Buchholz; and his siblings, Matthew (Terrah) Flatt, and Kayla (Preston) Henderson, his sibling in-laws Michele (Luke) Brown, Nate (Dana) Buchholz, Scott (Alysia) Rufsvold, Alyshia (Laughlin) Thompson, Tiffany (Dallas) Dobson, and John Hatcher. Grandmother Marion Flatt, Grandparent in-laws Arden and Joanne Lemley, along with many more aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was “Fun Uncle Luke” to Xander, Logan, Logan, Lyam, Lennyn, Kayzah, Liyah, Leyce, Skylar, Hesston, Denali, Grayson, Amelia, Matilda, Ryder, Stetson, Ellie, Easton, Grace, Mason, Shawn, Vika, and Niko. His story also belongs to the many other friends and family who make up “The Village.” Luke was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Merle Flatt and Floyd Weisz; his grandmother, Shirley Jones; his father-in-law, Brian Lemley; his nephew, Levi Flatt; his niece, Lindsae Hatcher; and fellow member of “The Village,” Will Williams. Cherish one another. Reach out when you are hurting. Never underestimate the importance of friendship. And when you gather in the garage, put on one of Luke’s five favorite songs and tell a story that would have made him laugh. Right on!

Lucas "Luke" Nathaniel Flatt

September 28, 1986 - September 9, 2026