Florence Maude (Johnson) Fenske

MADISON - Florence Maude (Johnson) Fenske , age 95 years,9 months, and 15 days of Madison, passed away on Thursday, July 21, 2011, at Belmont Nursing Home. She was born on October 6, 1915, in Galena, Ill. She was the daughter of Alex Luvine Johnson and Laura Caroline (Tveten) Johnson. Florence was born and raised on the east side of Madison with her three brothers. She attended Lowell Elementary and Madison East High School graduating in 1934. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church and continued to be a lifetime member.She Married Harold Herman Fenske on October 27, 1943, in Madison. The couple did not have any children together, but they enjoyed Harold’s daughters from a previous marriage, Joanne, Jerrie and Jackie. She thought of the three girls as her own keeping in close contact even after Harold passed away. Florence worked for the military in California doing office work during World War II while Harold served in the army. Florence worked at the Capital Times and Madison Newspaper for 42 years, from 1934 to 1976, for the business office in the unit records section as a supervisor. She also served on the Capital Times Credit committee for over 20 years. Her hobbies over the years included owning a Harley Davidson motorcycle which she enjoyed riding. She also enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing, boating, gardening and bingo. Florence was an avid reader, never missing an issue of the Capital Times with a mind like a sponge always looking to absorb more information. She always spoke her mind with a quick wit about her. Florence was full of life and possessed a great deal of spunk right up until she took her last breath. Florence is survived by a brother, Norman O. Johnson, Sr. of Madison; a niece, Donna L. Johnson of Madison;a nephew, Norman O. Johnson, Jr. (Patty) of Waterloo; and a stepdaughter, Jackie Byles of Tigard, Ore. She is also survived by many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alex and Laura Johnson;step mother, Maude Johnson;husband, Harold Fenske;brothers, Howard Johnson and Clarence Johnson; and step daughters, Joanne Kelly and Geraldine “Jerrie” Beckerleg.Funeral Services were held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday , July 23, 2011 with the Rev. Sandra Schieble officiating.Visitation was held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday, July 23, 2011.Burial is at Roselawn Memorial Park. Family would like to thank the staff at Belmont Nursing Home for the many years they cared for Florence. Family would also like to thank Hospice for the care given in her final days. We would also like to extend our appreciation for always sending cards and keeping in touch with Florence to Neil & Connie Phillips, Lyle & June Coates and of course her precious Jackie (Byles). Cemetery: Burial is at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation was held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday, July 23, 2011. Services were held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday , July 23, 2011 with the Rev. Sandra Schieble officiating.