JoAnn Erickson Florence, age 87, of Layton, UT, passed away on April 11, 2020. She was born in Denver, CO, on July 9, 1932. JoAnn is the daughter of the late Eugene Fagg Erickson and Mildred Jennie Woodruff Erickson. JoAnn married Clyde Earl Florence on November 26, 1953. They had been married for 45 years when Clyde passed away in 1998. JoAnn is survived by her sister, Joyce Erickson Wright (Bob). She is also survived by her 4 children: Scott Clyde Florence (Jill), Craig Eugene Florence, Susan Mesarch, Tammy Jordan (Richard), as well as 18 grandchildren and 43 great grandchildren.
JoAnn was an active member of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints for her entire life. She was raised in Salt Lake City where she attended Forest elementary, Irving Jr. high school and graduated from South High school in 1949. She went to work for International Harvester Co. where she met Clyde. They moved to Southern California in 1962.
JoAnn and Clyde raised their children in Hacienda Heights, California. In September of 1963, they were sealed for time and all eternity to their children in the Los Angeles, California Temple. They made many lifelong friends in their Los Altos Ward while living in Southern California. JoAnn worked as an executive secretary for the Highlander newspaper for 25 years. When JoAnn retired, they moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where Clyde eventually passed away. JoAnn stayed in Las Vegas for many years later.
She loved to travel. She especially enjoyed travelling the world on cruise ships and going on church history tours where she would visit many of the historic and sacred sites of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. JoAnn always wanted to move back to the Salt Lake area. She finally did when she relocated to Layton, Utah, in January 2016, where she could be closer to most of her children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, sister and other relatives.
JoAnn loved music and singing. She performed in the “Lamb of God” musical program in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. She was also a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers organization. JoAnn loved to serve in and attend the temple as often as she could. She also loved to read and be a part of book clubs. While living at Fairfield Village in Layton, UT, one of JoAnn’s favorite things to do was listen and dance to her favorite local band “Sun Shade ‘n Rain” as they sang many classic oldies. JoAnn enjoyed her time at Fairfield Village playing Bingo, going on scenic drives, making new friends, and being visited by family. A special thanks to the staff and friends at Fairfield Village who watched over and cared for her while she lived there.
A graveside service for family will be held on Friday, April 17, 2020. It will be live streamed on Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary’s Facebook page at 2:00 PM for those that would like to join.
