Florence Margaret Stevens

Florence M. (Lines) Stevens, age 96, died peacefully on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at HospiceCare, Inc; in Fitchburg, WI, surrounded by her children. Formerly of Alexandria, MN, she lived independently for 95 years.

Florence was born on September 23, 1914, at home in Cottonwood, MN. She attended school in Cottonwood and Redwood Falls, MN, and graduated in 1932 from Cottonwood High School as Salutatorian. She continued her education for two more years at St. Cloud Teachers College. Florence subsequently taught first and second grades in Hanley Falls, MN, for three years.

Florence married James Ford Stevens, also from Cottonwood, on July 31, 1937. They

had two children, Michael James and Mary Margaret. The family moved frequently due

to Jim's work as a highway patrolman for the State of Minnesota. Locations included St. Paul, Morris, Alexandria, Rochester, Detroit Lakes, Mahtomedi, and Brainerd. Finally, Jim and Florence decided to retire to their favorite of all towns, Alexandria.

Florence was a caretaker. She mostly raised her brothers, so that her brother Bob was 21

before he realized he didn't always have to do what she said! Florence cherished her role as mother of her own two children. She certainly provided loving care for Jim in his declining years. Mother was never at a lack for friends; her friends always said that Florence was a very special person.

Florence was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ Church in Alexandria where she participated in fellowship and a circle. She also was a member of the Alexandria Woman's Club, PEO and various bridge clubs. Florence also did volunteer work throughout her life.

Florence was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James F. Stevens, her sister,

Priscilla Lines, and four brothers, Wayne, Robert, John and William Lines; and her daughter-in-law, Karen Wilson Stevens.

Florence is survived by her son, Michael J. Stevens (Ginnie) of Sarasota, Florida; her daughter, Mary M. Stevens (Bonnie J. Gunnon) of Madison, Wisconsin; three grandchildren: Suzanne Stevens Dunn (Mark) of Henderson, Nevada, Jennifer Lines Stevens of Harford, Connecticut, and Andrew Bailey Stevens (Lisa) of Westminster, Colorado; five great-grandchildren: Melanie Mills and Samantha Speyer Dunn and Tyler Wilson, Maggie Sophia, and Zoe Elizabeth Stevens; and a very dear sister-in-law, Elizabeth Lines.

Memorial services celebrating Florence's life will be held at 2:00 pm at HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, Wisconsin, on December 4, 2010, and in Alexandria, MN, by Michael J. Stevens and his family, perhaps in June 2011. 

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations in Florence's memory be made to HospiceCare, Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, Wisconsin 53711, or other charity of the donor's choice.