Florence Franklund McDaniel was born near Wilton, North Dakota on March 19, 1915 to Erick and Anna (Bostrom) Franklund, who immigrated from Sweden. She was raised on the family farm in Painted Woods Township, Burleigh County, North Dakota and was the seventh child in a musical family of ten children. Florence, also known as Toots, attended a rural grade school and Wilton High School. She married Gordon McDaniels, a professional boxer, in March, 1937, in Bismarck, North Dakota. After living in Bismarck a short time, they moved to Yakima, Washington where her son, Greg, was born. A few years later they moved to Ellensburg, Washington, where her son, Curt, was born. They then moved near Klamath Falls, Oregon where Gordon worked in a logging camp as a brakeman on the logging train. About two years later they moved to Lake Stevens in Washington and then to the Snohomish area where they lived for eighteen years. They raised chickens, beef, strawberries, and had a large garden. Florence entered her canning in the Monroe Fair and won many ribbons, including the Grand Champion ribbon. She was active in church and other activities.
In 1960 the family moved to Marysville, Washington where Florence has lived ever since. She joined the group called Mother's Singers and sang in many places for about a year. She sold real-estate for about two years until her husband became sick with cancer. She cared for him until his death in 1973. Florence kept active after Gordon's death and was involved in many activities. She joined the Stillaguamish Senior Center where she learned pattern dancing and participated in several clubs to dance, including the Eagles Thirteen and Moose Clubs. She was active in the Sons of Norway Fritjov #17 and also did water aerobics for thirty years. She kept strong by joining health clubs and spas. Florence attended the Marysville United Methodist Church. She also traveled, visiting family in North Dakota and places such as Arizona and Hawaii.
Florence will be remembered for being strong, active, working hard and for loving life through facing many challenges. She wrote a book on her legacy that has been printed. She is survived by her two sons Greg and Curt, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and her beloved nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Evergreen Funeral Home, 4504 Broadway in Everett. She will be laid to rest at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, 1615 SE Everett Mall Way in Everett beside her late husband.
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