Florence M. Moore, 96

Florence M. Moore, 96, affectionately known as Flo, passed away peacefully June 18, 2010, in Missoula. Flo was born Florence Mellem on June 7, 1914, in Rosewood, Minn., and had four brothers and three sisters. Flo originally came to Somers in 1935 to care for her ill sister s children. During that time she met and married Cecil A. Ripke and had daughter Myrna and son Terry. After the passing of Cecil, Flo supported her family in a variety of ways; she worked in the Kalispell Hospital and later, during World War II, she was a Rosie the Riveter building Liberty ships in the Portland shipyards. During that time she worked high up on the superstructures and when asked if she was afraid of heights responded, A little, but at least up here nothing can hit me in the head! In 1947, Flo married Boyd Shearwood. They settled in Spokane and had daughter Diane. In 1965 she married the love of her life, Edward Park Moore, and settled in Bremerton, Wash. Although they were only married a short time before Ed s passing, they had a wonderful and romantic marriage. After the passing of her beloved husband Ed, she became involved in several ladies groups and starting traveling the world whenever possible with her good friend Arna by her side. You never knew where Flo and Arna would be off to next; A safari in Africa? A bullfight in Spain? Vegas, Hawaii, Mexico? A cruise? They did it all and more, and had a wonderful time! Flo was endowed with a natural sense of empathy and a wonderful sense of humor that made her loved by everyone she met. She will be greatly missed. Flo was preceded in death by brothers, Alvin, Clarence, Roy and Vernon Mellem; as well as sisters, Pearl Mellem Bangeman and Myrtle Mellem Thoreson. Flo is survived by her sister, Joyce Neilson, of Libby; daughter, Myrna Hocking, of Bigfork; and son, Terry Ripke, and daughter, Diane Fullerton, both of Missoula. Flo had seven grandchildren, Jim, Vicki, Kevin, Janine, Melissa, Scott and Chad; as well as 18 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchilren. Flo will be buried in Bremerton beside her beloved Ed. A memorial will follow in August in Bigfork.