Elon Florine (Flo) Gilcrease Nelson

Elon Florine (Flo) Gilcrease Nelson passed away Sunday, Nov. 18, surrounded by family at the home of her granddaughter Lori Rainwater in Bigfork. Born June 29, 1919 in Cottonwood, Ariz. to Elon Catherine Stewart Gilcrease (age 19) and Dan Edward Gilcrease (age 38), Flo spent her youth in the Cottonwood area. As the eldest of five children, Flo quickly became primary caretaker for her siblings. Flo loved school and in spite of numerous family moves always found teachers who mentored and encouraged her. She eagerly took to the books and was promoted two grades during elementary school. She became the first in her family to graduate from high school, which was not an easy task for a girl who cleaned, cooked and babysat for other families in order to live close to a school.

Upon graduation, Flo’s goal was to become a registered nurse. However, her dream took a different direction when she was introduced to a charmingly electric guy from Montana — Joe Nelson. As they both related at their 70th anniversary in 2009, they were destined to be together to take on the world. At age 18, newly wed Flo boarded a bus bound for Kalispell, and as she’s said many times, “never looked back!”

Flo took on and embraced diverse roles in her life, all with one common theme — work hard and make a difference wherever you can. She was known to speak her mind and refreshingly did so in a direct no-nonsense way. She was quick to offer solutions as well as point out just why something needed improvement. Whether someone was choosing a career, planting a flower garden or naming a grandchild, Flo freely offered her opinion. With a great work ethic, Flo’s accomplishments were many. She took on numerous professional as well as volunteer roles including writer, office manager, and Nobel Grand of the Rebekahs. Her involvement with the Montana Association for the Blind included serving as president of the Flathead Chapter for several years. She loved dancing with Joe, a good game of cards, gardening, genealogy and especially traveling with Joe in their motor home. She was most proud of her children and their children and the impact that her life partner, Joe, had on Bigfork, Flathead County and the State of Montana. Joe relied on this lifetime partnership in all his endeavors.

A life-long goal was realized at the age of 91 when she published her first book, an autobiography, “Stories I Remember.” She had recently finished a book about Joe’s life.

Flo was preceded in death by Joe, her sister Doris (Gilcrease) Bosick and brother, Dan Gilcrease. She is survived by three children, Gerri Johnson (Ron) of Palm Springs, Calif., Joe, Jr. (Karen) of Petersburg, Alaska and Harriett Brittenham (Marvin) of Parker, Colo. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild with another expected in March. Also surviving Flo are her two brothers, Tad and Bert Gilcrease and sister-in-law Ann (Dan) Gilcrease of Arizona.

For the past several years Flo and Joe have been blessed to have at their side eldest granddaughter, Lori Rainwater. Lori moved from Tacoma, Wash. to live close and help take care of Grandpa Joe and Gram. The Nelson Family is deeply indebted to Lori for the love, patience, commitment, enthusiasm and joy that she so freely gave to Joe and Flo.

Services will be held Friday, Nov. 23, at 11 a.m. at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home with Reverend Ronnie Pierce officiating and all are invited to a reception hosted by the Bigfork Fire Department at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Flo’s name to the Bigfork Fire Department.

Joe and Flo — meant to be together long ago, are together again.