Florence S. Dierdorff was born Oct. 3, 1902, in McHenry, N.D., to John and Alveda (Gragg) Dierdorff. At the age of 16, she began teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in McHenry. She was united in marriage to Rudolph Forsberg in McHenry in 1922. A year later, she left her teaching position to start her own family with the birth of the couple's son, John. Rudy and Florence moved to Deephaven in 1923. They bought a lot on Clear Lake in Ideal Township in 1953, and moved to the lake permanently in 1958. They very much enjoyed dancing together; Florence quipped that Rudy's ability to dance well was the reason she married him. She was widowed with Rudy's passing in 1978. She learned to live independently and learned to drive after his death. In 1994, she moved to the Parkview Apartments in Pequot Lakes, where she lived until two years ago, when she entered Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. She was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Pequot Lakes, and her steadfast faith was an inspiration to all who knew her. She enjoyed working crossword puzzles and playing cards. She did beautiful needlework. She loved her family and friends and her cat, Tommy.

Florence is survived by her granddaughters, Joy (Brad) Hogen, Pequot Lakes, and Roxie (Rich) Conrad, Seattle, Wash.; four great-grandchildren, Jennifer and Megan Hogen, Pequot Lakes, Lynsey Conrad, Columbus, Ohio, and Lauren Conrad, Missoula, Mont.; a daughter-in-law, Ruth Forsberg, Deephaven; and her devoted best friend, Joni Oaks.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son; two brothers, Floyd and Blair; and a sister, Blanche.

Please e-mail messages of comfort and condolences to the family at www.brenny.com. Services entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel of Pequot Lakes.