Florence Ireen Kunz (Peace) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 14th at the South Health Campus at the age of 86. She was predeceased by her husband, Gord Kunz, and is survived by daughter Laurie Lutes of Okotoks and son David (Kate) Kunz of Bragg Creek, two Grandchildren, Branden (Katherine) Chudleigh of Okotoks and Wyatt (Krystal) Lutes of Victoria, one Great grandchild Samantha Chudleigh, two sisters Marion Gordon of Santa Rosa and Margaret (Carl) Shiels of Victoria as well as several nieces and nephews.
Florence was born in Wadena, Saskatchewan in 1938 to the late William and Frieda (Lee) Peace. She was the third born of four children (Jim, Leona, Florence, Marion). Her father tragically died when Florence was four. Her mother remarried to Victor Hokanson four years later and had 3 more children (Leonard, Margaret,
Sharon). Florence was predeceased by Jim, Sharon, Leona and Leonard. Florence attended school inWadena and after high school she moved to Calgary to live with her Aunt who worked at International Harvester where Florence met a handsome young man named Gord, who worked in the parts division.
After marrying in 1958 they eventually bought a house in Calgary, in the neighborhood of Acadia, where Florence took great joy in raising Laurie and Dave creating a warm and loving home that supported everyone in their endeavors.
Once Laurie and Dave were in high school Florence took on part time jobs in retail beginning at Beaver Lumber where she was referred to as the “Lumber Mom” because she was the one everybody went to with their problems fin search of Florence’s kindness and good advice. She eventually moved on to clothing retail and finished off at Benkris Kitchen Wares where she was promoted to a manager. Working in these stores was a reflection of her stylish personal taste in clothing and of her home.
Through the years she and Gord were very involved in family and care giving, always there to help out, calm the waters or just be good company to their children and grandchildren where Florence was affectionally referred to as Nan. Many a camping trip was had with family and lots of international travelling with her daughter Laurie. Florence and Gord enjoyed many years of RVing on their own throughout western Canada and into the US.
Florence and Gord moved to West Kelowna in 2002 where they had their dream home within a gated community over looking a stream and beautifully landscaped by Florence reflecting her love of roses. Florence made great friends in this community where she participated in everything from aqua size, painting, bridge, to the community’s theatre. They enjoyed 14 years in B.C. before moving back to Alberta to the Heartland Centre in Okotoks. Florence was always making new friends in the many activities she involved herself in. After Gord’s death, Florence moved to Seasons Senior Living in High River for a couple years, always endearing herself to staff and other residents. Forever looking forward to the next adventure down the road and happy to tag along to any event,
Florence was never a fish out of water, she could get anyone to talk to her. She was a mom to more than two kids, as many friends of Dave and Laurie’s got to experience her caring and kindness in their home. She would always start off a conversation with “so tell me what you’ve been up to” and get the goods on the interesting stuff of the day. Family was at the core of her happiness which included staying close to her siblings for many get togethers through the years. Florence loved her sports and you could have an in-depth conversation at anytime when it came to The Jays, tennis or the Raptors, always checking in with Dave to see if he was watching “the game”.
Once Covid hit, Florence and her sisters started to chat on Zoom twice a week which says something about her close connection with them and her computer skills in her eighties. With her sense of humour and curiosity there wasn’t a person who didn’t like Florence, right to her last days she had everyone in her hospital room laughing and amazed at her memory. She was a woman who was well loved and will be missed immensely.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Parkinson’s association of Alberta.
A private memorial will be held at a later date.
