Florence Waddell

Florence Eva (Reed) Waddell peacefully passed away on July 2, 2018… leaving her loving family with 96 years of beautiful memories. She fittingly shared her birthday with the celebration of spring, when she was born to Elsie (Ward) and Harry Thompson on May Day of 1922 in Forsyth, MT. Soon after, her parents loaded Florence, her brother Harry, and sisters Alice and Fern into a Model T Ford, and moved the family to Coeur d’Alene, ID. They homesteaded in Cougar Gulch, where she attended a one-room schoolhouse, graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School, and eventually met her husband Kelly Reed at a Meadowbrook Hall dance.

In 1940, the newlyweds created a home and farm in Mica Flats, where they happily raised their four children. Florence spent most of her time caring for her family, friends, and community. She was a member of the Happy Family Club of Mica, a charter member of the Mica Flats Grange, and a Jolly Workers of Mica 4-H Club leader for 14 years. Before Kelly’s death in 1984, they traveled to nearly every state, danced with friends, camped with the Good Sam RV Club, and hosted family holidays.

Florence was fortunate to enjoy the love, adoration, and companionship of husbands Ken Doxey and Charles Waddell, along with their families over the next 20 years. She became a member of the Coeurly Q Squaredance Club, enjoyed more traveling, and never stopped living with a strong work ethic, compassion, generosity, and a sense of humor. She was known for making everything special for those around her, from making her signature chocolate pies and playing pranks on grandkids, to sewing handmade dolls for every baby in the family and creating special holiday traditions.

Her memory will be forever cherished by daughter Carlene (Don) Scheline, son Harry (Cheryl) Reed, daughter Eva (Mike) Armitage, and daughter Doreen (Jim) Hodge. She leaves grandchildren Debbie, Deanna, Kelly, Kevin, Chad, Angie, Brett, Rusty, Sharalee, Ty, Travis, and Hillary, 33 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Saturday, July 7, 2018 from 2-4pm at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N Fourth St, Coeur d’Alene, ID. A graveside service will follow at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens, 7315 N Government Way. In lieu of flowers, please honor Florence’s love for community by making a donation to a charity of your choice. Her family would like to give a special thanks to Jolene at Guardian Angel Homes for giving such wonderful care in her final days.