Florence Henrietta Ylinen, age 93, passed away June 16, 2012 at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. Florence was born June 30, 1918 in Denver, CO. to the Reverend Henry and Anna Mecklenburg. Since her father was a Methodist minister and church architect, the family frequently moved during her childhood to include cities of Dentoin, Browning, Los Angeles, CA; Chinook, Columbia Falls, Glacier Park, Plains, Helena, Delano, MN; Billings, Bozeman, and finally settling in Billings. She attended 5 high schools graduaating from Billings Senior High School in 1937. In Billings, Florence graduated from college with a BS in Education with a major in Economics in 1941. While in College she met her husband Walter Ylinen. But they had to wait to be married until he returned home from serving in the army in India during WW II. While waiting for Walter, Florence taught Home Economics at Darby, MT and Harrington, WA before returning to Billings. On June 8, 1946, Walter and Forence were married in Billings by her Father. Walter received his MA in Education from the U of M and the couple moved to Kalispell in 1947 where they settled. Walter taught Biology at Flathead High School for 34 years until his retirement in 1981. Florence and Walter shared 56 years of marriage. Walter died in 2002 from a rare type of Muscular Dystrophy. After marriage, Florence became a homemaker, gardener and mother of three children, Raymond, Harriet, and Karen. Florence kept busy with her church involvement: Official Board, Sunday School, Circles, Missions, Prayer Groups, Bible Studies and C.R.O.P., as well as Boy Scouts, United Womens Society and Birthday Club. She also enjoyed sewing, crafts, and helping others. Florence was preceded in death by her parents, husband Walter William Ylinen in 2002; son Raymond from stomach cancer at age 11; Florence is survived by her daughter Harriet (Joe) Mistowski and children Joe and Paula of Jamestown, RI.; Karen Ylinen of Kalispell, and daughter Kristina (Chuck) Elkins of Kalispell and Williston, ND.; sisters Harriet Mjelde of Three Forks, MT; and Ruth Warren of Billings, MT. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday June 25, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at Epworth United Methodist Church.
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