Florence E. Spannaus

Florence was born on March 21, 1926, in Delmont, South Dakota, to Foster and Martha Williams. She was the fourth of their eight children. Her father gave her the nickname Tootsie when she was a young child. The name stayed with her throughout her life. The family moved to California when Florence was in high school. They settled in Martinez where Florence graduated from high school. The following year Florence accompanied a friend who was interviewing for acceptance to the Sacramento County Hospital School of Nursing through the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corp. During the interview the Director of Nurses looked at Florence and asked "What are you doing with your life? A nurse will always have a job." Although she had never thought to become a nurse she took the challenge and both girls were accepted into the nursing school. During the three year program Florence became friends with a fellow nursing student Ruby Little After graduation Ruby and Florence moved to Yreka, California, and started working their first jobs as registered nurses at Siskiyou County Hospital. Florence and Ruby rented a small cottage from Mrs. Spannaus, who had two sons, Bud and Al. Florence and Bud began dating and were married on April 2, 1949; Ruby married Bud's brother Al, the following year . Bud was in the service during their first two years of marriage requiring the newlyweds to move to bases in Washington, Texas, and Kentucky. Florence found nursing work with each move. She had many stories about this time in their life and how much fun they had. After discharge from the service Bud, Florence and their three girls moved from Yreka to Grass Lake, Redding, Mineral and then settled in Red Bluff in 1964. Florence started work at St. Elizabeth Hospital as charge nurse and then advanced to operating room supervisor. The hospital was located on Main Street at this time. After the hospital moved to it's current location Florence left the OR and accepted the position of nursing supervisor. She worked in this position until her retirement in 1992. Another one of Florence's "hats" was lnservice Director for the hospital. She initiated, planned and taught the first CPR and EMT classes for staff using "Resusci Annie", a full size training manikin with red hair. Florence loved her work and was a vital part of the hospital family for close to 30 years. Family was always first with Florence. Her husband Bud passed in 2012, after 63 years of marriage. Their life was full with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by daughters, Sherry Spannaus, Bonnie Mayfield (Matt Wetzel), and Linda Wilson (George Wilson), brother Dr. Richard Seibert (Celia), sister Rita Paul(Don), grandchildren: David Brown, Jonathan Brown, James Mayfield (Jen), Heather Patterson (John), Annie Comisky (Kevin), Mark Cowan (Amber), Matt Cowan, Rachel Oates (Joshua), and Katrina Wilson, nine great grandchildren, and numerous other relatives. Florence had a great sense of humor. She was always ready to laugh herself to tears at any situation, including herself. There were many laughs shared about the "great black bug" chasing her from the garage to the house with Bud sitting there watching the tape recorder cord drag on the ground behind her, all the while she screamed and ran. This is just one of the many wonderful memories we all share of Florence and will continue to remember, bringing joy and laughter to our hearts. On February 26, 2015, Florence passed peacefully, from this life to the next, at her home. The memory of Florence will be with everyone whose life she touched. Her presence will be missed, but she will never be forgotten, and will be eternally loved by her family and friends. A celebration of her long and beautiful life will be held on March 13, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flower, 1860 Walnut St. Red Bluff, CA. (530.527.1174 )