Florence Ernest's Obituary
Forever in Our Hearts
Florence Ernest
1916 – 2017
Florence Kohout Ernest, 101-years-Young, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday morning, July 22, 2017, at her home in St. Petersburg, Florida. Born on January 27, 1916 in Chicago, Illinois, to Frances and Jacub Kohout, she moved with her family to Michigan where she spent many of her early years before returning to the Chicago suburbs to finish high school.
After graduation, Florence stayed home and helped her parents in the family business, a local meat market. This is where she met her true love and the man she would spend her life with – Frank Ernest. The two were soon married and spent over 55 loving years together, raising their two dear daughters, Florence and Marguerite. An active homemaker in Chicago, Florence spent time volunteering throughout the community, highlighted with many years of dedicated service as troop leader to Girl Scouts of America Troop 267. She also devoted time and service to the United Methodist Church in Westmont, Illinois. It was here that she grew closer to the church and God, serving as a leader of the acolytes and understanding of her calling – a true servant’s heart and passion for helping those around her.
Retiring and moving to St. Petersburg in 1976, Florence continued her love of homemaking and crafting, while experiencing new interests that included visiting local beaches and bowling. Combining these interests and more, she focused on creating memories with family that continued through her husband’s passing in 1996. Florence found new joys and wonders in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her family members are numerous and include:
Husband of 55 years: Frank Ernest (deceased)
Mother of 2 Daughters: Florence Kamradt and Marguerite New.
Son-in-law: Lewis H. New
Grandmother to 5: Diana, Scott, Marguerite Jr., Carolyn and Frank (deceased).
Great-grandmother to 11: Breanna, Madison, Isaiah, Tyler, Jonathan, Isabelle, Meredith, Matthew, Nehemiah, Mia and Carter.
Before her passing, Florence requested that the wonderful Orange Team at Empath Health/ Hospice receive special acknowledgement and thanks for their loving care over the last year, with an extra special thank you to April, Jason, and Jean: “May the Good Lord send every blessing your way.”
An intimate Memorial Service will be held at the family home, on Saturday, August 12th from 1:00 – 4:00pm. Please contact Memorial Funeral Home for service location. We invite you to share a memory of Florence with the family or leave a message of condolence in the family guestbook at: MemorialParkFuneralHome.com
In lieu of flowers, donations in Florence’s name may be made to SuncoastHospice.org/online-donations or LighthouseofPinellas.org.
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