Florence Eliza Tanner

Florence Eliza Tanner died Sunday evening at home surrounded by her family. She was a devoted wife and mother of 8. She worked as an Office Manager for her brothers at Smith Brothers’ Excavating, at the Grand Traverse Canning Co. and various other jobs. By far her favorite position was as a Sitter at Munson Hospital. She was very active at Long Lake Friends Church serving 10 plus years as Hospitality Committee Chair and lead arts and crafts teacher for Vacation Bible School. She also volunteered at Joy Givers assisted living doing crafts with the residents. She was active in leading Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and 4-H and volunteered more than 30 years in the Agricultural and Horticulture building (now known as the “Tanner Building”) at the Northwestern Michigan Fair.

She was born September 10th, 1930, the daughter of James L. and Florence Mina (Peck) Smith. On July 6, 1947 in Traverse City she married the late Floyd Marvin Tanner Sr., her husband of 50 years. She is survived by her 4 sons, Floyd “Marvin” Tanner Jr. of Lake Ann, David (Denise) Tanner of Traverse City, Terry (Joni) Tanner of Durham, NC, Estel (Dawn) Tanner of Lake Isabella; her four daughters, Susan Walter of Traverse City, Vonnie Tanner of Interlochen, Debra (Michael) Ducsay of Marquette, Katherine (David) Besaw of Grandville; six granddaughters Sarah (Rob) Heinecke, Autumn Ducsay, Hannah (Clare) Sattler, Alexandra Carter, Shelby Carter, Meghan Tanner; seven grandsons, Christopher (Alicia) Tanner, Andrew (Allison) Ducsay, Jacob (Becky) Tanner, Corey (Lacey) Ducsay, Travis Tanner, David Besaw, Nathan Tanner and 9 great grandchildren. Also survived by her brothers Paul R. (Joan) Smith and James A. (Maggie) Smith and brother in law Don Crandall.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers in infancy, sisters Elsie Tanner and Carribelle Crandall, son in law Ronald Walter, and grandson Isaac Matthew Tanner.

Visitation will be on Wednesday May 30th from 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm at Covell Funeral Home, Traverse City and on Thursday from 1:00pm until service time at the Church. Celebration of Life Service will be on Thursday May 31st, 2:00pm at Long Lake Community Church. Pastor Keith Huffman and Pastor Christopher Cox will be officiating. Interment will be directly after at the Green Briar Cemetery in Lake Ann. Fellowship and refreshments following at Long Lake Community Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.