Florence Walton

RONAN — Florence Marjorie Steen Walton, 79, of Ronan died Thursday, June 2, 2005, at her home west of Ronan.

She was born Sept. 29, 1925, in Minot, N.D., to Lewis and Alice Steen. She grew up in Glenburn, N.D. and graduated from Glenburn High School.

She married Lyle R. Walton on Aug. 15, 1942, in Glenburn. She traveled to Long Island, Neb., with her husband while he served in the Army, then returned to the Glenburn area. She was the mother of eight children. They also lived at Surrey, Minot and Kenmare, N.D. and in Richey.

Within the family's first year at Ronan (1961) Florence and her family were spared from a house fire that consumed their home in Round Butte. With dedication and hard work, she and her husband Lyle purchased 90 acres east of Ronan where she shared in the farming, ranching and logging, while continuing her career as a CNA. She put in the necessary hours and home study to pass the exam and her LPN license. She cared for patients in area hospitals and d nursing homes as well as some home care. Upon retirement Florence cared for her husband until his death in April 1998.

Her lifelong dream came true in 1999 upon completion of her townhouse at the Mission Mountain golf course. Florence enjoyed traveling to see family and made trips to Alaska and Brandon, Mo. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were of primary importance to her and she will be missed by each one.

Survivors include her daughters, Ann Sias of Ronan, Mary McGann of Plains, Peggy Walton-Webster of Williamson, N.Y., and Claudia Reinhart of Glenwood, Minn.; her sons, Bill of Florence, Jerry of Fayetteville, N.C., Craig of Lewiston, Idaho, and Rande of Polson; 25l grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lyle, brothers Milton and Walter Steen, and her parents, Lewis and Alice Steen.

Memorial services were held June 11 at the Ronan Alliance Church with Pastor Jeff Kingery officiating.

Shrider's Mortuary of Ronan assisted the family with arrangements.