Florence Engdahl (Johnson) Engdahl

FLORENCE D. ENGDAHL 97, passed away Monday, March 24, 2014 at her home in Riverview Terrace. She was born October 15, 1916 in Seattle, Washington to Mauritz and Kerstin Johnson, Swedish Immigrants. Florence was raised in the Seattle area and later attended the University of Washington in Pullman. In 1936 Florence worked as a secretary for the Department of Fisheries in Olympia, Washington. Through this effort the Olympia Oysters were re-introduced into the Puget Sound. Remnants of this research and project are still at the Oyster Bar in downtown Olympia. On July 1, 1939 in Issaquah, Washington she married Warren Engdahl. Their first home was in Willamina, Oregon, later moved to Smith River, California and then to Roseburg, Oregon in 1951 where she worked as a secretary for Viletta's China Shop and a homemaker. They lived the rest of their lives in Roseburg. Florence and Warren were passionate about square dancing, beginning around 1951 and were vital members of the Buckaroo Square Dancers. This included statewide participation as well as traveling over seas to promote friendship through square dancing. Throughout the years, Florence was a member of First United Methodist Church, a Community Volunteer, very active in leading 4-H and also quite active in Home Extension and A.F.S. In her later years, Florence's favorite activity was the many family gatherings at Kerstin's Kottage in Florence, Oregon. Survivors include her daughters Sue Noel and her husband Jim of Corvallis, Oregon, MaryLou Soukup and her husband Jim of Casper, Wyoming and Kris Laurance and her husband Dave of Woodburn, Oregon; grandchildren Eric and Errol Noel, Lisa (Noel) Cordrey, Brynne and Darin Soukup; by marriage Brent, Steve and James Laurance and Amy (Laurance) Hoyt; great grandchildren Anna, Josh, Makenna, Beckett and Thatcher Noel, Brenna Christa, Mikayla and Aeva Soukup and by marriage Sophia, Jonathan and Lucy Laurance and Vivian Hoyt. Also longtime "special daughters" Camille (Follett) Collins and Graci Cimino (AFS student from Argentina). A Celebration of Florence's life will be held Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 1:30 pm at Riverview Terrace 2nd floor activity room. Reverend Scott Harkness will officiate. Private inurnment will be held within the grounds of Roseburg Memorial Gardens. The family requests that contributions be made in Mrs. Engdahl's memory to the American Heart Association, Buckaroo Barn or your favorite charity. The family would like to say a special thank you to their mom's caregivers Lil Coke, Darcy Potter, Jan Alvord, Lisa Nye, Susan Roland, Melissa Caldwell and Melissa Gerharter. Please visit www.wilsonschapeloftherosesfh.com to leave the family fond memories and condolences.