Florence Ann (Watson) Lude

                Florence Ann Lude, 77, Milan, was welcomed home by her merciful Savior on Friday, Feb. 10th, 2017 at UnityPoint Health-Trinity, Rock Island.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 115 12th Ave. W., Milan.  Funeral services will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the church.  Burial will be at Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island.  The Rev. Gregory Michel will officiate.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church or to the Transportation Service at Project Now.  Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Milan, is assisting the family.

                The fourth of seven children, she was born at home in Coyne Center to Frazier E. and Florence Agnes (McConnell) Watson on Dec. 19, 1939.   

                She met her future husband, Frank A. Lude, Jr. on that same homestead when he and his family came from Davenport, Iowa to pick berries. Their fathers worked on the Rock Island Arsenal together. He was 18 and she was 12. They married Nov. 15, 1957, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa.  They enjoyed 40 years of trials, troubles, faith, and laughter together. Frank joined the Lord on Sept. 29, 1998.

                In her adolescence, she was a member of the Coyne Center Clearviewers 4H Club. Later, she served as the publicity chair for the Chautauqua Council Girl Scouts; president of the Coyne Center Grade School PTA; member of the Black Hawk Home Bureau; den mother of Cub Scouts; board member of Sherrard Band Boosters; and opened her home to the young people of the Quad-City Knights Drum and Bugle Corps.

                Florence was a faithful servant to her Lord. She was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Milan and many of its groups, including LWML, choir, and Altar Guild. She served in many capacities, including as a Sunday school teacher,  VBS teacher and superintendent; and as co-chair of the Wedding and Funeral committee. She and Frank were Youth Group leaders for a few years.

                Florence and her family owned and operated Hidden Lake Campground in Edgington, Il, from 1971 to 1977. She also worked as a cashier at Convenient Food Mart in Milan and Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard in Rock Island. She reminisced often about how much she enjoyed taking care of her customers.

                Despite all the outside activities and jobs, what brought Florence the most happiness was a house full of people. She loved kids of all ages and everyone was welcome in her home. If someone left the supper table hungry, it was only because they were shy.

                Survivors include children Cynthia J. (John) Leonard, Rock Island; Victoria J. Lude, Milan; Frank F. (Amy) Lude, Vancouver, Wash.; and Susan R. (Gerald) De Loose, Sherrard; granddaughters Samantha J. (Nicholas) Dolan, Moline; Emma Lude, London, UK; Gina De Loose (fiancé Nathan Vanderploeg) Sherrard; Jennifer Lude (fiancé Dakota Brandom), Springfield, Mo., Kennedy De Loose, Sherrard; great-grandson Noah Dolan, Moline; siblings Connell (Jo Ann) Watson, Milan; Ramona (Richard) McMeekan, Viola; Karen Burton, Wataga; Frazier “Bud” (Lois) Watson, Sherrard;  Harold (Bonnie) Watson, Coal Valley; and 22 nieces and nephews.

                She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband and two sisters, Lillian Watson and Roberta Patterson

                The family would like to thank Dr. Milan Durco; the hard working nursing staffs and case management of UP-Trinity Rock Island; and the Coyne Center Fire Department for all they have done the last two months of her life.

 Service Information