Florence Messersmith, 91

Florence Messersmith (Olson) died peacefully Sept. 10, 2013, at Kootenai Medical Center’s Circle of Life Unit surrounded by family and in the arms of her beloved daughter, Joan.

Florence was born on Christmas Day 1921 to Amanda and Arnold Olson where she joined 3 older brothers. She grew up in Coeur d’Alene during the depression. In high school was a member of the drill team and graduated from Coeur d’Alene High in 1941.

She left the area and moved to Tacoma in 1942 where she met and married the love of her life Jim Erlandson. When he returned from the war, they settled in Osburn and adopted their daughter, Joan.

In 1960 Jim drowned in a boating accident on Lake Pend Oreille. Florence and Joan then moved back to Coeur d’Alene and lived with her father until she married Harold Messersmith in 1970.

She was employed by Montgomery Ward for 13 years, she volunteered as a pink lady at the hospital and enjoyed lunch at the senior center with her friends. She loved reading, walking her dog “Buddy” and homemade pie. She had been a resident of Coeur d’Alene Homes since 2011.

She is survived by her beloved daughter, Joan Hankel (Romie) of Newman Lake, Wash.; a stepdaughter, Penny Strand of Salem, Ore.; grandson Mark Thompson (Jessica) of Post Falls; step-granddaughter Kory’l Leonard (Don) of Spokane; nephews, Leonard Olson (Janet) of Coeur d’Alene, Robert Olson (Wendy) of Seattle and Edward Olson of Virginia; niece Marilyn Elliott of Coeur d’Alene; five great-grandchildren and lifelong friend Evelyn Rogers of Coeur d’Alene.

She was preceded in death of her parents; brothers, Clifford, Donald and Leonard; niece Donna (Olson) Shaffer.; and husbands, Jim and Harold.

Note from Joan: My mother was “Donna Reed” because she always wore an apron and was all about home and family. She adopted me from a family with three girls and gave me a life my sisters never had a chance at having. When my dad died she saved his life insurance money so I could have a college education.

Mom was kind, generous, determined and sometimes very stubborn. She was my best friend and a big part of my daily life. I’d like to give sincere thanks to the staff of Coeur d’Alene Homes for giving Mom such loving care and friendship, as well as, supporting me through this difficult time. A special hug to Dana, Debi, Lydia and Jennifer.  Mother was very fond of each of you.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Kootenai Humane Society or Hospice of North Idaho.

Graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, at Forest Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene. Please sign Florence’s guest registry at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.