Florence Listvan

Florence Listvan

Florence Anna Gray Listvan, age 98, finished her struggle with cancer and passed away into her everlasting life peacefully at home on July 16, 2017 with her son and pastor by her side, and enveloped by the loving thoughts of her daughter and the many family and friends who were thinking of her, but could not be present. Florence was born in Kremlin, Oklahoma on November 7, 1918. She moved to Long Beach, California in 1920 with her parents and 4 siblings. She met her lifelong friend, Evelyn (Kelley) French in 4th grade, the start of their 80-plus years of friendship. Florence experienced the Long Beach earthquake of 1933 while in Junior High, and subsequently classes were held outside in tents. She continued on to Poly High School, graduating in 1936 and attended Redlands University in Physical Education, becoming an elementary teacher. She started teaching in Porterville, but came back to be local in Long Beach when WWII began. Florence worked 2 weeks at Douglas building aircraft cables before a new teaching job appeared in Seal Beach. Florence (Flo) met her future husband, Adolph J. Listvan (Tex, from Texas) at a dance at the Majestic dance hall at The Pike Amusement Park in Long Beach during 1943. His Army buddy described Flo as a Texas school teacher, so while the buddy lacked in geography, he had the match right – Adolph danced the rest of the night with her and showed up for her for church the next morning – and married only short months thereafter. Florence lived briefly in Michigan until Tex finished training and went overseas, then she returned to Long Beach to teach, living with her parents. Adolph joined her living there after WWII saving up until they could find a house to buy in North Long Beach, which became their only home. She was a good fulltime mother to her 2 children –encouraging them to be independent, and only went back to substitute teach part-time after Marilyn was in 3rd grade, and yet was home when we got out of school. Flo and Adolph loved to travel, either with a trailer on many family vacations to Oklahoma, Texas, southern Minnesota and even Mexico City and later to Albuquerque and Minneapolis to visit their children, grandchildren and other family; but also other trips from Yosemite and Yellowstone to Washington DC, to see historical sights. They also traveled to Hawaii, Europe (to Oberammergau's Passion Play), China and to Egypt/ Holy Land. After Adolph passed away in 1993, Flo continued to travel to Thailand / Hong Kong; after which she had a quadruple bypass surgery so that jumped her energy back up. She went on a cruise to Alaska (with Marilyn) and another cruise around the countries on the Baltic Sea (with Marilyn & Jon) and later to Australia / New Zealand (with nieces Pat & Karen).
The technology changes she experienced within her lifetime boggles the mind. She was a very cheerful, friendly person, who loved flowers, valued neighbors and who looked for the good in everything and everyone. Her church was her Rock, and her church family at First Lutheran (now The Gathering Lutheran Church of Long Beach) were very important for her, witnessed by her over 96 years of membership and over 60 years of actively participating in LWML (Lutheran Women's Missionary League) and even her cards group (intense games of Hand and Foot!). Her family and her many friends will greatly miss her.
Florence is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years, Adolph; her parents Robert Gray and Anna Reim Gray and her siblings. She is survived by a son, Brian Listvan (wife Nancy); daughter Marilyn Listvan (life partner Jon Gaasedelen); two granddaughters Erica Listvan Zebick (Brian) and Rachel Listvan Repichowski (Brandon); six great grandchildren (Erica's) Faith, Ashley, Emily and Brian and (Rachel's) Dylan and Hayleigh; Sister-in-law Margie Bridges; Brother-in-law J. C. (Jake) Listvan; Nieces Mariana Van Blair (Bruce), Willene Purcell, Karen Lewis, Ruth Rivette (Zack), Rita Woolf (David); Nephews Robert Gray (Linda), Richard Gray (Lois); many great nieces, great nephews and cousins; cherished neighbors, the Demeduks and numerous friends. The family would like to thank Florence's caregivers and the caring people from Evergreen Hospice for their work in accommodating Florence's wishes to remain at home. Graveside services took place on July 22, 2017 at Green Hills Memorial Park, San Pedro. Her Celebration of Life service will take place on August 12th, 2017 at 11 AM at The Gathering. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Florence's honor to her church, The Gathering Lutheran Church, 905 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach 90813.
Please sign the guestbook at http://www.stricklinsnivelycares.com and www.presstelegram.com/obits under obituaries.