Florence "Flo" Carlson was born in Decatur, Illinois to John and Tillie Keene on November 4, 1918. She grew up in Long Beach and Michigan City, Indiana, where she graduated from Elston High School. After high school, she attended Indiana University and received an R.N. degree from Evanston Hospital of Nursing, affiliated with Northwestern University. After receiving her nursing degree, Florence became a certified x-ray technician.
She served fifty-two months in the Army, in World War II, serving with the Northwestern 12th General Hospital. The unit set up hospitals in Oran, Africa; Naples, Leghorn, and Rome, Italy. Flo was discharged from the Army in 1946 with a rank of 1st Lieutenant.
After her tour of duty in the Army, she returned to Michigan City where she was Supervisor at Doctor's Hospital in Michigan City for two years. She did some private duty at St. Anthony's Hospital before moving to La Porte and then worked private duty at Holy Family Hospital and Fairview Hospital.
In 1948 she married Edmund Carlson. She lived most of her married life in La Porte, except three years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While there she worked at the Children's Hospital. Before retiring from nursing, she also worked as an office nurse for two physicians.
Flo was a volunteer for 30 years with the Red Cross Blood Mobile. She did Meals on Wheels, was a trustee at the Ruth Sabin Home starting in 1982, and volunteered with the La Porte Hospital Auxiliary for 50 years. She was active in Tri Kappa Sorority and belonged to People to People Organization, making many trips with their group to Europe. Flo loved to travel, was an avid golfer, and enjoyed playing Bridge with her friends.
She was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, singing in the choir, acting as an Elder and Deacon, and serving on many committees. Flo was awarded an honorary membership in the Presbyterian Women's Organization for her outstanding service.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edmund, in 1979. She was also preceded in death by her parents, John and Tillie Keene, her two brothers, John and Charles Keene, her sister Marion Surns, and one nephew Mike Surns. Florence is survived by her two sons, Dr. David (Claire) Carlson of Abilene, Texas, Eric (Kelly) Carlson of Wausau, Wisconsin, two granddaughters, Kate Carlson Wrammert (Jens) of Decatur, Georgia, and Sarah Carlson of Dallas, Texas, two grandsons, Edmund Carlson and Kyle Hankins of Wisconsin, and two great-grandsons, Patrick and Lucas Wrammert of Decatur, Georgia.
Cremation has taken place with Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service with full military honors will take place at 11 AM (CST), Saturday, July 29, 2017 at The Presbyterian Church of La Porte, 307 Kingsbury Ave., La Porte. A private burial will take place in Pine Lake Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 10:30-11 AM (CST) on Saturday at the church.
Memorials may be made to Deacons at Presbyterian Church of La Porte or Meals on Wheels.
Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com