Florence Marie Cross

Florence Marie Cross, 89, died Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at the Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes.

Cremation has taken place and her memorial service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010, at Fifth Avenue Christian Church with Rowlie Hutton officiating.

A fellowship luncheon will be held at the church immediately after the service.

Burial will be held at 2 p.m. at the Big Sandy Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Florence's honor may be made to a charity of one's choice.

Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Florence was born March 3, 1921, in Illiad, Mont., to John and Jeannie (Opsal) Whethan.

She was raised and educated at country schools.

She married Melvin "Shorty" Cross April 30, 1941, in Fort Benton, Mont. Together the couple made their home in Big Sandy on the family farm and raised their children. Florence loved the farm and all of the animals they raised. She raised a plentiful garden each year and had beautiful flowers planted in her yard. The couple moved to Havre in

1968.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Shorty, in 1991; her son, James Cross; three sisters, Alberta, Grace and Jeanette; and three brothers, Maurice, Clarence "Ike" and John.

Florence is survived by her children: daughters, Gloria (Leonard) Beck and Bonnie (Lynn) Heggen all of Havre, Mont., and sons, Ralph (Bertha) Cross and Robert (Pam) Cross all of Chinook, Mont.; her sister Mary (Dwight) Ward of Bertha, Minn.; 19 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.