Meet the Woman Who Designed Oklahoma's State Flag

Hey, friend! Welcome back to another post. Today, I want to show you the historic marker for the woman who designed the state flag of Oklahoma, Louise Funk Fluke. Let’s get started!

Who was Louise Funk Fluke?

Louise Funk Fluke was born in Van Bren, Arkansas to R.W. and Trimmier Sloan Funk on February 9, 1900. The family moved from Arkansas to Shawnee, Oklahoma in 1901.

Louise had an affinity for the arts and took lessons from Marjorie Dodge Tapp. She went on to study the arts at Columbia University and the Chicago Art Institute.

In December 1924, she married George Fluke and they had one son.

In 1925, the Oklahoma Daughters of the American Revolution held a statewide contest for a new design for the state flag of Oklahoma. Louise chatted extensively with the secretary of the Oklahoma Historical Society, Dr. Joseph B. Thoburn on the design she submitted to the contest.

Louise’s design included an Osage War Shield with six crosses which was representative of the Native American symbol for stars. There was also seven pendant eagle feathers. A calumet (peace pipe) and olive branch were placed over the shield to represent people living in peace united.

Louise’s design won the contest and was adopted by the Oklahoma State Legislature in 1925.

Newspaper article highlighting Mrs. George F. Fluke's first place win in a flag design contest for the state flag, acknowledging her artistic talent and the support of the Daughters of the American Revolution. — “Mrs. Fluke Wins Honors In Flag Design Contest.” *Shawnee News-Star* (Shawnee, Oklahoma), February 21, 1925.

An article discussing the selection of a flag design by a committee, highlighting Mrs. Fluke's award for the most beautiful design submitted. — “Mrs. Fluke Wins Honors In Flag Design Contest.” *Shawnee News-Star* (Shawnee, Oklahoma), February 21, 1925.

Louise would go on to receive many honors and awards in her lifetime including the Pioneer Woman Award in 1982. She passed away on July 27, 1986 and is buried at the Fairview Cemetery in Shawnee.

Historic Marker Transcription

“Louise Funk Fluke (1900-1986) designer of the State Flag of Oklahoma, was born in Arkansas and raised in Shawnee. She entered the winning flag design in a statewide contest in 1925 through the Wunagisa Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. She is buried at Fairview Cemetery.”

A granite monument dedicated to Louise Funk Fluke, the designer of the Oklahoma state flag, featuring her portrait and an inscription about her life and achievements.

Visit

601 E Main St,

Shawnee OK 74801

TRAVEL TIP: This marker is located right next to the Pottawatomie County Historical Society Museum.

Sources

Primary Sources

Newspapers

“Mrs. Fluke Wins Honors In Flag Design Contest.” Shawnee News-Star (Shawnee, Oklahoma), February 21, 1925.

Secondary Sources

Historic Marker.

Linda D. Wilson, “Fluke, Louise Funk,” The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society, January 15, 2010.

The Active Historian