Florence Schlegel

1922 - 2017

Florence Esther Williamson Schlegel, 94, passed away at her home in Anchorage, Alaska, on Nov. 22, 2017. Born in Herrick, S.D. and raised outside of Rapid City, S.D.
Florence was an adventurous woman, first moving to Los Angeles, Calif. right after high school. She then lived in New York City, N.Y. After a few years, she moved back to Los Angeles, where she met her lifelong love, William "Bill" Schlegel, who she married in Tijuana, Mexico on Oct. 23, 1948.
In 1950, Florence and Bill moved from California to the territory of Alaska and set up residency in Anchorage. Florence and Bill joined the Church of Latter Day Saints in 1956 and remained active members. In 1959, the family homesteaded in Goose Bay, Alaska, where Florence was known to have shot three black bears. She loved Alaska for all its majesty.
Florence had a passion for serving her community. She was a Mt. McKinley Lioness, involved in organizing the Miners & Trappers Ball for over 50 years, and was a lifetime member of the Anchorage Ski Club and Pioneers of Alaska.
Florence was preceded in her death by her husband, Bill; and her three siblings. She is survived by her three children, Pamela Svendsen; Bonnie; and Billy Schlegel; her eight grandchildren, Andrea, Blake, Pilar and Chase Svendsen; Nicole Shaffer, Michael and Jesse Layton; and Breann Schlegel; and three great-grandchildren, Sienna and Colton Shaffer; and Averie Layton.
Florence will always be remembered for the love she showed for her family and community, for her polite charm, and for her surprising sense of humor. She will be missed.
Services are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, at the LDS-Maplewood Chapel, 2551 Maplewood, Anchorage, Alaska. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m., service at 12:00 p.m., and open house a 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to the charity of your choice.