Date of Birth: October 9, 1922
Date of Death: August 3, 2017
She has achieved success who has “lived well, laughed often and loved much”.
On Aug. 3, 2017, in Penticton, B.C., Florence looked beyond her life of almost 95 years, and went to her eternal home.
Saskatchewan was her home for 75 years and she never lost sight of her prairie roots and spirit. Her love of life and people touched the lives of all who knew her.
Well loved for her humour, generous spirit, a thoughtful and devoted friend, and a never-ending ability to be content in all circumstances, Florence resided for the past 20 years in B.C.’s Okanagan Valley. She enjoyed 18 years of independent living in Penticton, followed by two years of assisted living in Summerland.
Florentine Elizabeth Hepting was born in Lipton, SK on Oct. 9, 1922. She married William Frederich Miller and they were blessed with almost 51 years of marriage and five children. They worked together at farming and business in the Lipton district.
Florence had a myriad of interests and because of this she was an exceptional conversationalist. She enjoyed various church and ladies’ groups, politics, music, sports and travel.
She loved sharing her preserving, cooking and baking, sewing and handwork talents and was highly respected in her matriarchal position in the Miller and Hepting families.
Many lasting and valued relationships were cultivated at her kitchen table with the good people of the Prairies and British Columbia.
After valiant efforts, Bill passed away in June, 1993; her eldest son, Garry, in Jan. of 2015 and daughter-in-law, Linda in March of 2005. Florence’s long life surpassed her and Bill’s parents and siblings.
Left to cherish Florence’s life is Garry’s wife, Judy of Regina, SK.; son, Lloyd (Dene) of Winnipeg, MB; son, Douglas of Winnipeg, MB; daughter, Denise (Dave) Nielson of Peachland, B.C.; and son, Gregory (Laura) of Penticton, B.C. Five granddaughters; Daina (Dean) Gagne, Pamela (Ed) Johnson all of Winnipeg, MB; Miranda (Jeff) Duggan of Kenora, ON; Sheena (Leland) Clarke of Salt Spring Island, B.C.; and Cherise (Jadyn) Lowe of Calgary, AB. Four grandsons; Ashley of Winnipeg, MB; Tyson of Vancouver, B.C.; Brent (Alex) Nielson of West Kelowna, B.C. and Brendan of Kelowna, B.C. She was further blessed with 12 great -grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, numerous nieces, nephews, special cousins and friends that will forever hold her memory.
Florence’s lifetime love and passion for beautiful natural or man-made landscapes, trees and shrubs, growing flowers and plants, fruits and vegetables culminated with her countless hours of volunteer work at the Summerland Ornamental Gardens.
If so desired, family and friends may contribute a gift to The Gardens to keep Florence’s memory lasting for hundreds of future visitors to enjoy, (SummerlandGardens.org), or to a charity of one’s choice.
A celebration of Florence’s life will take place at “Home,” in Lipton, at the Living Christ Lutheran Church, on Oct. 14th, 2017, at 2 p.m. She will join Bill at the Lipton Memorial Cemetery with a social gathering to follow at the Lipton Seniors’ Centre.
She Lived Well, She Laughed Often and She Loved Much.
