Florence Dorothy Dettlaff, 101, of Centralia, Washington, passed away Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington.
She was born on Nov. 23, 1922, in Winchester, Wisconsin, and was a daughter of George Waldemar Thompson and Dora Johanna Mahler. Florence graduated from Winneconne High School and completed her education at Oshkosh Business College, today the University of Wisconsin Business College. On July 6, 1944, Florence married Gordon J. Dettlaff, a career military officer, and was happily married for 73 years. Florence traveled the world and lived in Japan after World War II, Morocco and Spain as well as being stationed in various locations in the United States. Florence always maintained a well-kept loving home wherever the family was living and at times served as an accountant at various Catholic parishes. She was an avid reader and was well informed with an incisive mind and clear perception. She was true to her Danish and Norwegian heritage as she was a gentle, kind, quiet person who was a good listener. Florence lived peacefully and purposefully according to her Catholic faith. She was a member of St. Mary Church in Centralia.
Florence was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Mildred Konrad, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and her husband.
Florence is survived by her daughter, Barbara, and beloved bordoodle, Maximus.
The family thanks Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma for their incomparable medical expertise, care and service, and also to our neighborhood community for their thoughtfulness.
A graveside service will be held Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Mountain View Cemetery in Centralia, Washington.
