Florence Marie ROBOTKA CALEMBER MORTENSEN

MORTENSEN, CALEMBER, ROBOTKA, FISTLER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/12/2008 at 11:43:55

Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ
July 7, 2001

Florence (Flo) Marie Calember-Mortensen, age 81, of Phoenix AZ, died on July 3, 2001. She grew up on the family farm in Kanawha, Iowa, was the only person from her high school class to attend college, graduated from Iowa State University in 1941, worked for one of the nation's first day care centers, married Don Robotka, and had three children: Helen, Jerry and Bill. Settling in Mason City, Iowa, she subsequently raised her children alone, eventually becoming a department manager for Sears. In 1959 she re-married to Joe Calember, remained in Mason City until the children were grown, then left Iowa, settling in Phoenix in 1973, managing apartments until Joe's death in 1990. In the last decade of her life, Flo was blessed with the support and love of many friends and family while she faced declining health. In 1991 she began a friendship with Herb Mortensen that culminated in their marriage on June 23, 2001, a day of celebration and love. Flo lived her life with courage, humor and optimism. She was generous with those in need and unbending in her belief in equality and fairness. She will be missed by her husband Herb Mortensen, daughter Helen Fistler and Jon, son Jerry Robotka and Connie, son Bill Robotka and Karen, eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many friends.