Florence Svenson

Florence Kathleen “Flo” Svenson passed away on December 11, 2020 at Brandel Care Center in Northbrook, Illinois, at the age of 92. 

Florence was born on September 27, 1928 in Allouez Township, Mohawk, Michigan to Richard and Hulda Kauppila. She was the oldest of 4 sisters and 1 brother. 

From an early age Flo enjoyed sewing, making clothes for herself and her siblings during her youth. She went on to become an accomplished seamstress, including a time sewing for designers in San Francisco, and having her own tailoring and alterations business. Throughout her life she derived great pleasure in sewing fashionable outfits for her children, grandchildren, and others. 

After graduating from high school Florence took classes at a business college in Seattle, Washington and was a member of the Alpha Iota Sorority. She then began a career as a secretary at Firestone Tire and Rubber in Seattle, General Motors Corp, in Detroit, and Cook Electric in Chicago. Her secretarial and business skills were later employed when she served as vice president and secretary of Ivar Svenson Construction, Inc. that her and husband Ivar formed and owned.

She married Ivar Svenson from Karlskrona, Sweden on May 7, 1955. They raised their family in Glenview and Northbrook, Illinois. Homemaking was another creative outlet for Flo, she was an excellent cook and baker, always sharing a wide array of Swedish and Finnish cookies at Christmas time, and hosting delicious dinners. She shared her talents by volunteering at her children’s school, being a room mother, Girl Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, to name a few. 

Throughout her life she practiced her Christian faith, always happy to give to those in need. She was an active church member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Glenview, and Northbrook Covenant Church. She also enjoyed volunteering at Covenant Village in Northbrook.

She is survived by her children Kurt (Sharon Alden) Svenson, Garden Valley, Idaho; Kenneth (Jennifer Slack) Svenson, Calumet, Michigan; Tina Svenson (Terry) Zehr, Lake Forest, Illinois; Paul (Kim McCasland) Svenson, Casper, Wyoming; nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

She will be remembered as a loving and generous mother, grandmother and friend.

Private burial service is planned, with a memorial service in Florence Svenson’s honor held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her honor can be sent to:

Covenant Living of Northbrook, 2625 Techny Road, Northbrook, IL, 60062

Please have memo line state Svenson/Orchard Court

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