Middle River - Florence Anderson, 94, died Monday, November 2, 1998 at the Karlstad Memorial Nursing Center in Karlstad.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 6 at New Hope Lutheran Church in Newfolden with Reverend Ollie Urdahl officiating. Kathy Rokke was the organist, and Kathy Rokke, Diane Lee and Joan Sethre were the vocalists. Casketbearers were Harold Lee, Bill Helm, Milton Erickson, Jason Erickson, Mark Carlson and Gary Leader. Interment was in Spruce Valley Cemetery in Middle River. The Collins Funeral Home of Middle River was in charge of the arrangements.
Florence Hattie Peltola was born on March 24, 1904 at Soudan, the daughter of Everet and Hilda (Vinkka) Peltola. In 1912 she moved with her family to the Middle River community. Florence graduated from Middle River High School and attended teacher's training in Bemidji. From 1923 until 1930, she taught in various rural schools, including Riverside School (also known as Skomedal School) near Thief River Falls, Monro School in Spruce Valley township and the Thief Lake School.
On July 1, 1928 she was united in marriage to Edward W. Anderson in Middle River. The couple settled on a farm in Spruce Valley township near Middle River. Florence continued to make her home on the farm for several years after Edward died on January 19, 1957. She later moved to a nursing home in Thief River Falls and since February of 1991 has resided at the Karlstad Memorial Nursing Center.
Florence enjoyed flowers, and a plant she received as a wedding gift from her brother-in-law continues to bloom today. In 1939 she helped organize the Community Garden Club in Middle River and also the Newfolden Garden Club.
Florence is survived by two sons, Maynard (Ilene) Anderson of Hallsville, MO and Otto Anderson of Newfolden; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Oswald Peltola of Ft. Myers, FL; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; one daughter-in-law, Evelyn; one sister, Vienna; and three brothers, Eugene, Walter and Herbie.