Florence L. LaMonte

Florence (Loeslie) LaMonte, 100, of Grand Forks, ND, died on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, in Woodside Village, with her extended family surrounding her.

Born on the family farm in Radium, MN, to Charles and Louisa (Schrank) Loeslie, Florence was baptized in Immanuel Lutheran Church and attended the nearby one-room schoolhouse. She boarded in town, graduating from Warren High School in 1942, then attended business school in Grand Forks before returning home to help work on the farm. After herding livestock and making do on the homestead, Florence saved enough to visit her oldest sister in San Diego. She stayed on the west coast for the duration of WWII and after, working for Security Trust & Savings Bank and Rohr Aircraft, both of Chula Vista, CA. She even once entered (and won!) a pageant to raise funds for the men overseas. "Miss San Diego County" then operated a high-end women's clothing shop.

Florence was an extremely organized and independent person, and she used these traits to climb the ladder at her employer, San Diego Gas & Electric Company. Starting on the literal bottom rung, Florence proved herself again and again, retiring as the Executive Secretary of the operation after 21 years. Eventually, it was time to "come home," Florence buying a house in Grand Forks so she could live closer to her family. She remained, as always, wonderfully independent, buying and selling her own cars, dressing to the nines for the smallest of things, and even moving into assisted living and the nursing home of her own accord. She adored visits from her family, always lighting up when she saw them, and enjoyed the presents they'd bring (Chippers or cheesecake were favorites), praying with and for them, and generally leaving her mark upon the lives of all she encountered in the 100 years God gave her on this earth

Florence was currently the oldest and (so far) longest-lived member of the Loeslie family. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Lucille Huotari, Ethel Collins, Herbert Loeslie, Barbara Laudal, Mildred Berggren, Benjamin Loeslie, and Annabelle Thietje; and she is survived by many of their children and grandchildren.
Her family of nieces and nephews would like to thank all who cared for Florence, especially those who loved her these last years at Woodside Village, both staff and residents. She was so happy with each of you and we cannot repay the kindness you showed her.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Friday, December 5, 2025, at 2:00 PM, in DuBore Funeral Home Chapel, Warren, MN, Rev. Chris Rosebrough, presiding.
VISITATION: One hour prior.
INTERMENT: Greenwood Cemetery of Warren, MN.

To watch a video of Florence's funeral, please click the link: Florence LaMonte Funeral Service