Marian I Creighton Florence

Marian Florence Creighton, age 85, of Monmouth, Illinois died peacefully with her daughters by her side at OSF St. Mary's Medical Center in Galesburg, Il on Friday, November 22, 2013 at 3:35 p.m.. Marian was the daughter of Ingvald Bernard Horvei and Myrtle Peterson Horvei and was born on October 26, 1928 in Lake Mills, Iowa. Marian participated in school plays, loved playing the timpani drums, and was twice Homecoming Queen at Forest City High School. Before beginning her college education at Waldorf College in Forest City, Marian spent the summer at Yellowstone National Park as a ranger aide. This sparked her love for adventure and later in her married life she was able to travel frequently. Marian married Charles Lindy Florence in Lake Mills, Iowa in June, 1948. After moving to Monmouth, Illinois, Marian and Lindy had four children and they made 1003 East Broadway their home. She was a wonderful homemaker and taught each of her children to set up cordial and welcoming homes. Marian is often referred to as a "special lady". She was known for her generosity of heart and kind spirit. She was always ready to talk with others with a listening ear and to visit those who were in need .The tenacity of Marian's spirit is best described in her ability to rise early to cut and fry chicken, get four children to Sunday School and on the boat by 1:00 to enjoy the family's weekly Sunday outings on the Mississippi. Raised in a small town, Marian knew the value of community. She was actively involved in Civic Club, Community Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and Monmouth Country Club's Golf League. She worked at the Phone Set Shop in Monmouth and later sold real estate at McClintock Realty. Marian loved to play cards and was involved in various bridge groups, but her greatest joy was playing cards with her children and grandchildren. At an early age they learned how to hold a hand of cards, which way to pass them and how to be good sports. Marian was raised by parents who were 100% Norwegian. She was often referred to as a "stubborn Norwegian" and "Uff da!" was our secret swear word. Each of her children learned how to bake and share with neighbors labor-intensive cookies with unseemly names like "krumkaka","lefse" and "fattingmand". Each Christmas the local Norwegian Club gathered at Marian and Lindy's for lye-soaked lutefisk, faithfully carrying on the Norwegian heritage. Marian was a dedicated member of the First Lutheran Church of Monmouth and served on the Lutheran Church Ladies Circle. She especially loved the smaller community of the 8:00 service on Sundays. Most importantly, Marian and Lindy raised all of their children to love Christ, which was a great comfort to Marian at her death. Marian was surrounded by her family in August for a joyous gathering for her grandson's wedding in Oregon, and less than a month before her passing, she celebrated her 85th birthday at Courtyard Estates in Monmouth where she has enjoyed a year of tender, kind and faithful care. Marian married Joseph Creighton in 1984 and he preceded her in death in February, 1995. Marian is lovingly remembered by two daughters Mary Kay (Curt) Kimball of Damascus, OR and Jan (James) Garven of Austin, TX, ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Marian was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, son Greg, daughter Julie and granddaughter Tonya. Services:Marian's funeral service will be at the First Lutheran Church in Monmouth (116 South B Street, Monmouth) on Saturday, November 30, 2013 at 11:00. No formal visitation is planned but visitors are welcome at Turnbull Funeral Home on Friday. Memorials may be left to the First Lutheran Church in Monmouth or the OSF Holy Family Medical Center Auxiliary in Monmouth.