1918
Florence
2008
Florence Lucken
January 16, 1918 — October 16, 2008
Florence Elerine Ritter Lucken was born on January 16, 1918 in Hillsboro, North Dakota. Florence was baptized on March 31, 1918 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Fargo, N.D. by Pastor Garberding and confirmed on April 9, 1933 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fargo by Pastor Arnold Grumm.
She grew up in the Fargo area with her Mother, 2 sisters and 5 brothers and attended school there through the 10
th
grade. She was proud of the fact that she was smart enough to skip the 4
th
grade! She was very active in all sports offered to girls at that time…volleyball, basketball, soccer and she was the 8
th
grade ping pong champion! She left school to work as a file clerk at the Welfare Dept. to help support her Mother and 7 siblings. She later worked at a creamery in Fargo candling eggs.
She met Roy A. Lucken at Ida Carlson’s Barn Dance, a hot spot on Saturday nights for the young people to gather. They dated for 3 years and were married in Detroit Lakes, Mn. On June 25, 1938 and continued to live in Fargo until Roy left to find work in Detroit, Michigan. Florence joined him there where she worked at the Cadillac Company, which was then converted to a defense plant making parts for the war. She worked there until April, 1943 when Roy was drafted into the Army. They were stationed at Camp Landing, Florida, Ozark, Alabama, & Little Rock, Arkansas. When Roy was shipped to England in September, 1944, Florence moved back to be with family in Fargo. On December 17, 1944 their daughter Sharon was born and Florence worked part time in a factory in Fargo, sewing large duffel bags, until Roy returned home in June, 1946.
Shortly after returning home, Roy & Florence moved to Morris, Mn. where Roy had purchased an Ice Business. On September 3, 1948 their son, Rick, was born. Florence ran the home while Roy ran his numerous businesses, including the ice business, Lucken’s Mobil & Bulk, & Taxi cab business. There was nothing like a meal from the kitchen of Florence!!! She loved to cook, bake and entertain. There were always people coming and going from 403 West 7
th
Street which was where Florence lived until her health brought her to Lakeville Good Samaritan in Glenwood, Mn. and later to Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena, Mn.
Florence
was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Morris for 62 years. She enjoyed bowling, square dancing, playing cards, working in her flower gardens, sewing, crocheting, knitting, embroidering, watching the Twins baseball games, playing bingo, & attending her grandchildren’s school activities. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren provided years of joy and pride to her. She loved spending time with them and being part of their lives. She often said that her greatest accomplishment in life was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She celebrated her 90
th
birthday with family & friends on January 16, 2008, but she denied actually “being 90”!!!
Florence
died at Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena, Mn. on Thursday, October 16, 2008
She is survived by her daughter Sharon (Elroy) Podratz of Wadena, 5 grandchildren, Chris (Mark) Kragenbring, Alexandria, Steph (Jeff) Nelson, Calgary, Canada, Steve Podratz, Lakeville, Heather (Scott) Scholl, Hutchinson & Kim (Scott) Woods, Alexandria. Also 10 great-grandchildren, Quinn & Kalley Kragenbring, Ashley & Jack Nelson, Chloe & Blake Scholl, Meagan, McKayla, Kade & Cole Woods and her nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy A. on May, 29, 2006, her son Rick on July 15, 1997, all of her siblings and her 9 sister & brother-in-laws, her parents and several nieces and nephews.
Serving as pallbearers are Florence’s grandchildren: Chris Kragenbring, Steph Nelson, Steve Podratz, Heather Scholl and Kim Woods; her nephews: Don Ritter, Chuck Ritter and Ron Ritter and her godson: Paul Martin. Phyllis Joos will serve as organist for the service with Sharon Martin serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
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