Florence Marie Womer, age 101, died in her Edmonds home on Sunday, April 21, 2013. Florence was born Sept. 8, 1911 in Perham, Minn. and raised in Dent, Minn., where her parents, Joseph and Theresia Besler, owned the general store. Florence graduated from Fergus Falls High and moved to Edmonds with her parents and sister Louise in 1943. She married Howard L. Womer on June 10, 1946 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Edmonds and celebrated 62 years of marriage.

Florence was a long-time active member of Holy Rosary parish and could often be seen walking the mile-round trip to morning mass. Although Florence and Howard had no children of their own, Florence was “summer-time mom” to her sister Louise’s four boys. She was also “grandmother” to a number of parish families.

Florence enjoyed playing cards and was an avid bridge and cribbage player. She had a hankering for cheeseburgers, fries and chocolate milkshakes!

A delightful story-teller with a keen memory, Florence could describe in vivid detail the magic of their home’s first bare light bulb, the wintertime horse and sled ride to Sunday service, and her father’s generosity to Depression-era neighbors.

Florence was gracious, kind and always had a smile to share.

Florence was preceded in death by her husband and sisters Louise Neff and Vivian Stege. She is survived by her five nephews, a niece, and their families.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 13, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 630-7th Ave. N., in Edmonds with reception to follow. Florence was laid to rest at Holyrood Mausoleum in Shoreline.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Holy Rosary School Scholarship Fund.

— Obituary courtesy of Beck’s Funeral Home.