Florence Barbara Mikkelsen

October 27, 1911 – May 27, 2017

Florence Fry Mikkelsen was born in Southwick, Idaho to Elladee and Clarence Fry on Oct. 27, 1911. She was the third little girl in a family of 7 siblings. She passed away in Hanford, CA on May 27, 2017 at the age of 105 years and seven months.

Her early years were spent in Oregon and later in Eureka, CA. After graduation from Eureka High School in 1929 she moved to the Bay Area and worked in newspaper publication for the Redwood City Tribune and Palo Alto Times. While working there she met her future husband, Donald F. Mikkelsen. They were married in 1937. They had two daughters, Karen and Tina. Following retirement in 1974 from Wells Fargo Bank, Florence moved to Visalia, CA and later to Hanford, CA in 1990.

Florence, or “Grammy” as she was fondly called by all, was known for her independence and feisty personality. A hard worker, she was dedicated to her family. She firmly believed in “family first”. She lived independently in her own home until she was 103 years. At that time she loved into Diamond Terraces in Hanford, CA.

Florence is survived by her daughters: Karen Mikkelsen Eymil(Denis) and their three children, Allison Eymil Verich (Matt), RyanT Eymil (Loras), and John G. Eymil (Kristen), and Tina Mikkelsen Cartmell (Brian), and their three daughters, Elyse Cartmell, Melissa Cartmell Larson (Kevin), and Rebecca Cartmell Baker (Jason), and Grammy's sister Jean Fry Harrison of Conway, AR. Of great importance to Florence were her 13 Great-Grandchildren:Sofia, Matthew, and Anna Verich, Max, Luke, and Jesse Eymil,Devyn Boyd, and Elliot Eymil. Kate, Claire, and Luke Larson and Jack and Olivia Baker.

The family would like to thank Diamond Terraces for their loving care of our Grammy, especially Jan Norman. Also a special thanks to Optimal Hospice for care during Grammy's end of life.

A private service will be held at a later date.