Obituary: Florence B. Lockrem

Florence B. Lockrem passed away on the night of Aug. 7 at 11:20 p.m. She slipped peacefully into the next world with her eldest son by her side. Florence was born on Jan. 24, 1935, in the town of Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada. Her early life was harsh and demanded that she grow up quickly in order to help care for her brothers and sisters.

In 1953 at the age of 18, she began working as a switchboard operator in her hometown. A short time later, she met a handsome young Airman at a fire. They were married two weeks later and would remain so until he passed in 2013.

After living briefly in Minn...