Florence Dickinson

STERLING- FLORENCE W. DICKINSON, 96, of Sterling died Saturday, May 23, 2015 at her residence. Florence was Salutatorian of the eight grade honor students of Whiteside County and graduated from Sterling Township High School Class of 1935. Shortly after graduating, she ventured on her own to Chicago in search of employment and worked there for four years, eventually returning to Sterling to lend assistance due to illness in her family and then remaining in the local area until her death. She was employed as executive secretary at Sterling Township High School for ten years, and Challand Junior High in the gifted program for three years and most recently she was employed as a secretary at National Manufacturing for the Vice President of Sales, retiring in December 1984. Florence was born December 24, 1918 in Sterling, the daughter of Andrew and Edith (Stern) Wolber. She married Franklin Olsen on June 8, 1941. He preceded her in death on March 31, 1943. She then married Donald A. Dickinson, former co-publisher of the Daily Gazette, on October 23, 1949. He preceded her in death on April 15, 1964. A long time dedicated member of the First Presbyterian Church in Sterling, Florence was a member of the YWCA, served on the Board of Directors at one time and earned Pearl Woods Award for Business and Industry at the YWCA Leadership Luncheon in 1984. She was always interested in community service. She was a member of Community General Hospital Auxiliary, served as a Pink Lady over the past fifty years and volunteered at the local Fish Pantry and PADS homeless shelter. Survivors include one daughter Janice Olsen Dickinson of St. Paul MN and two sons, Barry (Jo Ann) Dickinson of La Grange and Stephen (Ellen) Dickinson of Naperville; four grandchildren Amanda (Wesley) Ringfelt of Joliet and Jeremy Dickinson of La Grange, Melissa (Art) Jones of Fitchburg, WI and David Dickinson of Naperville; Marvin (Kay) Wolber of Moline and Ronald (Helen) Wolber of Mt. Carroll; two sisters-in-law, Clara Dickinson of Adrian, MI and Judy Olsen of Rockford, IL; one brother-in-law, Kenneth (Judy) Olsen of Rockford, IL and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husbands, her parents, one sister (Helen) and two brothers (Wayne and Harold). Funeral service will be held at 10 AM Thursday, May 28, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church, Sterling with Reverend Christina Berry, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM Wednesday at the Schilling Funeral Home, Sterling. A memorial has been established. Condolences may be sent to schillingfuneralhome.com.