Florence M. Laird Lohmann

Florence M. Laird Lohmann, of Fond du Lac, died Sunday, September 15, 2013, at Hospice Home of Hope, Fond du Lac.She was born on June 7, 1929, in Buena Vista, Wisconsin, a daughter to The Rev. Irving and Alice Peterson Mielenz.On August 7, 1954, she married Attorney George J. Laird. He preceded her in death on February 23, 1981. On January 7, 1984, she married Earl M. Lohmann. He preceded her in death on July 23, 1990.Florence attended the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh and Taylor University in Indiana. She taught elementary school in Lowell, Wisconsin. Florence came to Division Street M.E. Church, Fond du Lac, as their Christian Education Director in 1951. Following that time, she served as the Methodist Conference Director of Youth Works and founded Friends Aware of Violent Relations (FAVR), later to become known as Solutions Center, working against domestic abuse. Florence served on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and on the board of Global Ministries for the Methodist Church. She operated her own counseling service and travel tour business. She held various offices in United Methodist Women and directed children’s choirs for many years. Florence was the office manager for E.F. Hutton Investment Services. She volunteered in the chaplain’s program at St. Agnes Hospital. She also served as a docent at the Galloway House and Village. She served on the board of the Fondy Food Pantry, was a member of Lawyer’s Wives Auxiliary, and the Roundtable. Florence served 20 years as a Hospice Hope volunteer. She was a certified Lay Speaker for the United Methodist Conference and filled many pulpits in the surrounding areas. She was a long time sponsor of education for impoverished children overseas. She loved music and the arts, and enjoyed her many trips all over the world. Florence was a member of Covenant United Methodist Church, and her life was a testament to her faith.She is survived by two daughters: Rebecca Laird of Appleton and Maurine Laird of Chicago; two grandsons: Alex Laird Metalsky and Zak Laird Metalsky; a stepdaughter, May Lohmann of South Carolina; a sister, Ruth (Robert) Swearingen of Independence, MO; and her partner of 22 years, Jerry Blackburn of Fond du Lac.She was preceded in death by her parents.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed to Hospice Home of Hope, 400 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 20, 2013, at Covenant United Methodist Church, 20 North Marr Street, Fond du Lac, with Rev. Michael Morning officiating. Burial will be in Rienzi Cemetery.The visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, September 19, 2013, at Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 31 E. Division Street, Fond du Lac, and on Friday at church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Florence M. Laird Lohmann

June 7, 1929 - September 15, 2013