Florence Harter

Florence Harter, 95, died gently in her sleep at her daughter's home on Sept. 28, 2007.

She was born in Chicago on March 15, 1912 to Kate and Christian Hoekstra. Graduating from high school in 1930, the Depression created positive life skills that she utilized her entire life.

In 1939, she married Wilmer Harter and followed him from coast to coast in his 30-year naval career. When her husband served in the Pacific in World War II, she worked in the airplane industry and took care of their young twins.

The family's final move was to Edmonds, Wash. in 1957 where they lived until 1981.

In the various places they lived, she became involved in her community serving as president of the Methodist Church Women in Virginia and as a Girl Scout leader and as Girl Scout Neighborhood Chairman in Washington.

She was an excellent seamstress creating prom dresses to reversible pleated skirts to intricate doll clothes for her girls.

In 1983, Florence and her husband moved to Libby to be near to their daughters. Her husband was a resident of the Libby Care Center from 1983-1988. During that time, she would spend seven hours a day at the Care Center taking care of Wilmer as well as assisting with loving care the many friends she made there. Never having had a driver's license, Florence would bicycle to the Care Center or walk in bad weather.

Florence was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, an infant daughter, Tina, and an infant great-granddaughter, Lisa Florence Woodard, and her siblings: Neil Hoekstra, Martha Morris, Christian Hoekstra, Byrtha Hoekstra and Helen Grace Hoekstra.

She is survived by her three daughters and their husbands: Flo and Allan Wood of Olympia, Wash., Marbie and Al Randall of Troy and Susie and Greg Rice of Libby; five grandchildren: Tim and John Woodard, Kayleen and Allan Randall and Cressey Rice; eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Min Hoekstra and Eileen Andrews and eight nieces and nephews.

A service of Remembrance and Hope will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4 at Christ Lutheran Church.

Florence's friends are invited to this informal service for a chance to share memories of how she's touched their lives and to share a cup of coffee. The family will have a private internment service on Saturday, Oct. 20. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements are by Nelson & Vial Funeral Homes & Crematory.