Ted Flora , 86 of McCook Lake, South Dakota, passed away Sunday, April 9, 2017 at his residence. Memorial Services will be held Monday, April 17, 2017 at 5:30pm – St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Dakota Dunes with Rev. Joseph Vogel officiating. Per his wishes, Ted will be cremated and laid to rest next to his late wife Donna in All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City.
Ted was born on October 21, 1930 in National Mine, MI, the son of Theodore V. Flora and Tyne (Mattson) Flora. He graduated from Crane Tech High School, Chicago, IL. Ted married Donna (Bradbury) Flora on June 11, 1955 in Glenview, IL. Donna passed away in Waukegan, IL in 1995.
Ted grew up in the Italian neighborhood on Taylor and Loomis Streets in Chicago, he also lived in Glenview, IL; Champaign, IL and McCook Lake, SD.
His entire life was devoted to his love of baseball. He played with the Cubs Farm Team Organization and was the pitching coach for the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana and Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO. He loved working with kids, teaching the fine art of pitching and was heavily involved in college baseball recruiting. He leaves a legacy of baseball players across the country, many of who remained close to him over the past 30 years. He was a “jack of all trades” and a true Renaissance man. He had a love of old cowboy westerns and movies and enjoyed watching the Turner Classic Movie channel. In more recent years, he was an avid oil painter and enjoyed painting portraits for family and friends many of whom have his works proudly displayed in their homes.
Survivors include his 2 daughters, Diane (David) Meland of McCook Lake, SD and Susan Flora of Dakota Dunes, SD; Grandson, Brian Meland of McCook Lake, SD; Brother, Al Flora of Hayward, WI; many nieces and nephews; best friend of 71 years, Lou Skizas of Champaign, IL; his South Dakota buddy, Steve Kerian of Dakota Dunes, SD; those that were like sons: Fighting Illini Baseball Team; and his furry namesake Teddy of Dakota Dunes, SD.

Ted was preceded in death by his wife Donna, his parents, 2 sisters – Arleen Laudonkas and Wynette Cairo, sister-in-laws, Louise Lockhart and Bonney Flora, brother-in-laws Raymond Bradbury, Robert Lockhart and Joseph Laudonckas.
In lieu of flowers, support of the Hospice of Siouxland, 4300 Hamilton Blvd, Sioux City, IA would be greatly appreciated. We would like to thank Wendy, Sherry, Nikki, Deb and Kristie of Hospice of Siouxland for their compassionate care of Ted. We would also like to thank his Dream Team of doctors - Dr. Nancy Schenk, Dr. Mike Wolpert and Dr. Elizabeth McInerney.