November 30, 2011

Florence Sailor

Florence M. Sailor, 83, of Plaza, N.D., died Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, in a Garrison nursing home.  Florence was born April 6, 1928, to George Sr. and Rosa (Hart) Dewalt in Ashley, N.D., the youngest of 15 children.  She grew up in Ashley and attended school in both Ashley and Fargo. 
On March 6, 1947, Florence was united in marriage to Russell A. Sailor in Bismarck.  They made their home in Wilton until 1950 when Russ was transferred with the railroad and they moved to Plaza.  They raised their family in Plaza. They both came from large families and were blessed with eight children. In the early 1960s, Florence operated the Plaza Café.   She later rolled and sold Lefse from her home for over 25 years.  Russ died on Aug. 21, 1997.
Florence was a member of First Lutheran Church and its Ladies Aid.  She was an emergency phone operator for 20 years for the Plaza Fire Department and Ambulance; her service earned her the honor of Plaza Woman of the Year.  She was also a 50-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Florence raised beautiful flowers and a huge vegetable garden; she enjoyed the beauty of outdoor flowers.  She would prepare and freeze fruit and vegetables to have in a pinch should a carload of relatives drop in.  She collected salt and pepper shakers and her family and friends would bring them as gifts from their travels.  Florence was a marvelous cook and loved to serve her meals to family and guests in beautiful dishware. 
In August 2011, Florence moved to Trinity Homes in Minot, but returned to her home in October.  In November 2011, she entered the Benedictine Living Center in Garrison where she passed away with her family by her side.  Blessed be her memory among us.
Florence is survived by her daughters, Edna Sailor of Minot, Clara Sailor of Niceville, Fla., Carol Bomstad (Larry Schultz) of Arnegard and Teresa Elton (Craig) of Parshall; sons, Roger (Karen) Littleton, Colo. and Richard of San Diego, Calif.; daughter-in-law, Lynette Sailor of Landa; grandchildren, Jamie Kok (Jim) of Plaza, Cheri Giesen (Gene) of Bismarck, Robbie Edwards (Stephanie), Sean Sailor (Amanda) and Chad Sailor, all of Minot, Myca Penton (Lincoln) of Littleton, Cindy Sailor of Aurora, Colo., Michelle Singley (Wayne) and Nicole Peterson (LeRoy) both of Brighton, Colo., Steven Martini of Niceville, Fla., James Lockhart (Kim) of Kenmare, Steven Lockhart of Arnegard, Scot Sailor (Andrea Swenson) of Minot, Jessica Jorgenson (Claude Olson) of Parshall and Michael Bloms (Stephanie Johnson) of Minot; 35 great-grandchildren; siblings, Edna Reid and Elmer Dewalt (Marcella) both of Galion, Ohio and Cleo Lee of Sacramento, Calif,; numerous nieces and nephews.   She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sons, Rusty and Pat; grandsons, Ricky and Tommy Jorgenson; sisters, Gladys Helwig, Irene Johnson, Rose Rohrer, Grace Delzer, Leona Ruele and an infant sister; brothers, Orville, Wilber, William and Joe.
 The funeral will be held Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. in First Lutheran Church, Plaza. Visitations will be Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m. in Langhans Funeral Home, Parshall. Interment will be at the East Plaza Cemetery, Plaza.
 

WATFORD CITY WEATHER