Florence Elizabeth Christiansen, age 99, a resident of Sioux City, died at home at North Park Senior Living Friday morning, November 16, 2012.

Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, November 21, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, with visitation from 1 PM to 2 PM for an hour before the service begins. Officiating will be Rev. Russell Senstad and Rev. David Zirpel. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service.

She was born August 25, 1913, at St. Louis, MO. She was married to Rev. Alfred Christiansen on Sept. 12, 1937.

Florence attended high school in Jennings, MO. She was an avid reader of newspapers and saver of inspiring stories throughout her life. She began sewing at age 3 and sewed and altered clothes for the family throughout her married life. After her husband died she worked in men’s clothing alterations at Younkers and at a bridal shop.

Florence was very active in church life during her husband’s pastorates at Lutheran churches in Grant Township, Ida County; Rock Rapids; Wall Lake; Los Angeles; and Remsen. She was very gifted musically and sang for many weddings and special services in addition to working with the choirs and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. In later years she was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Morningside.

She is survived by her brother Clarence and sister Marian of St. Louis; her sister Carole of Deerfield Beach, Florida; her son Kenneth and his wife Karen of Jacksonville, Florida; her son Jim of Paris, France; grandchildren Gwen of Biarritz, France; John and his wife Melanie of Perrysburg, Ohio; and Christopher and wife Beth of Jacksonville, Florida; great-grandchildren Jillian, Constance and Xavier; and numerous nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents, Edward Gilda Sr. and Josephine Vogel Gilda; her brothers Edward Jr., Theodore, Elmer, Albert, Richard, Ralph and Donald; her sisters Adele Marie, Lillian, Edna Mae and Eleanor; her son Gerald; and her great-grandson Sullivan.

Thanks to Rev. Russell Senstad and Rev. David Zirpel of Redeemer, to Walt and Arlene Schindler, and to the staff of North Park Place for many visits and much assistance during her later years. And thanks to the staff and volunteers of Hospice of Siouxland for encouragement and comfort care during her last months and days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hospice of Siouxland, to Redeemer Lutheran Church, or to the charity of the giver’s choice.