Florence Ware Ware Knight

In the year 1917, Babe Ruth pitched for the Red Sox, the first jazz record was recorded, the Raggedy Anne doll was invented and the United States entered World War I. On July 6th of that same year, Florence Margaret Ware Knight was born to Oscar Cestal and Grace Virginia Ware in Des Moines Iowa. Florence was the youngest of four children. She had an older brother William, and two sisters Alice and Charlotte. The family lived at 1300 7th street in a home that not only accommodated the Wares, but also took in boarders. The strong foundation of this home still stands today on 7th street. A fitting image, as the Ware family encompassed the strong traditional mid-west values of charity and kindness that have been passed on to the Ware descendants.

Florence grew up in this home where her father was known to feed the hungry out of the back door of the home while her mother was feeding them out of the front door. Florence did have a mischievous side as a young girl. She shared stories of sneaking into the rooms of a boarder or two and snatching pieces of candy off of a dresser. She was also known to take her older brother Bill’s car keys, and take his “Oakland” out for a spin without permission. It was while she attended North High School, that she met Delno Knight. Florence’s older brother Bill introduced Del and Flo at Fillio’s Coffee Shop when Florence was about 16. Bill was known to be very protective of Florence, however liked Del well enough to introduce the two. The Wares liked Delno Knight, however Florence’s father did take issue with the fact that Del always seemed to be around for Sunday night supper. On one occasion, Florence borrowed Del’s Auburn and took it on a long trip with her mother Grace and her grandmother down to Joplin, Missouri to see relatives. Florence spoke of the trip many times. Not only because she experienced car trouble by mishandling the clutch, taking Del’s Auburn to a gas station that had never seen an Auburn before, but because she was so overwhelmed by the sheer poverty that her kin folk lived in. Florence told the story of her aunt and cousins having to ask their neighbors for food in rural Missouri to feed herself, her mother and grandmother. Her grandmother stayed with the relatives in Missouri and passed away there a short time after the trip.

Florence was an active student at North High playing tennis on the tennis team and bass violin in the band. Coincidently, her large bass fit quite nicely in Del’s Roadster. She graduated from high school in 1935. At this time, Del’s hours at the Rollin’s Hosiery mill in Des Moines had been cut. He decided to move to Milwaukee and was able to find a better job at the Phoenix Hosiery Mill. Missing Florence, and as Milwaukee and Des Moines are a few hundred miles apart, Del saved $100 and asked Flo to marry him. They were married on December 22, 1935. Florence and Del lived in Milwaukee for five years. Times were tough as this was in the middle of the depression. Del continued at the hosiery mill, while Florence found herself in an unusual situation, she held two jobs in the middle of the depression! Florence worked at the Postal Telegraph office and was able to work a few hours at a local theater. Florence said that she was criticized on occasion for keeping both jobs, but times were tough and this newly married couple needed the money!

In 1940, after the passing of her father, Florence, Del, and her mother Grace followed the rest of the Ware clan and moved to sunny California. Florence and Del lived with her sister Alice until they found a home and settled in El Monte. Florence worked part-time then full time in her sister Alice’s husband’s law office where she worked for 27 years. She followed this endeavor with a successful career in real estate for Century-21 until she retired.

Florence and Del were very happy in California surrounded by family and friends who had also come to California. In 1942, they were blessed with a son, Donald. Donald was born a little early and very small. Florence recalled this as a very difficult time, as Donald grew slowly and had some trouble eating. Florence wanted to show off her new son and took him by herself on a train trip back to Des Moines. However, Florence was very happy to be back home in California as little Donald cried all the way to Iowa on the train and cried all the back. Despite the challenges of traveling with a young child, Florence was very happy about being a mom after a number of years of trying.

Florence really lived life to the fullest. She and Del had passed a travel-trailer dealership on Route 66 in Glendora when they drove into California from Iowa. Years later, they returned to that dealership and purchased their first trailer, a 1953 fifteen foot “Love Bug”. Florence enjoyed camping, however enjoyed it even more in a trailer or a motor-home! The family’s first trip was to Devil’s Postpile near Mammoth Lakes. The traveling continued over the years with trips to “Bombay Beach” on the edge of the Salton Sea, the High Sierras, and Lake Arrowhead. Florence and Del always traveled with good friends like Cliff and Dode Fisher whom they had known back in Des Moines and Stan and Eunice Clark from their church in Duarte. In the later years, Florence made sure to bring her two granddaughters on the trips that they took to Mission Bay in San Diego and weekends in Palm Desert. Florence, Del and Don also spent time at her brother Bill’s cabin in Running Springs and time on Alice’s Ranch near Chico. Her photo albums are full of pictures of these happy times with good friends and family.

Church was also very important to Florence. She and Del were founding members of “The Church of The Foothills” United Methodist Church in Duarte. Florence even swept out chicken coops in the back of the church to make a workable area for Sunday school classes which she taught. Florence was always in the choir and volunteered in the woman’s groups. When Florence and Del moved to Oceanside in the mid 80’s, they became one of the founding members of the “San Luis Rey Valley United Methodist Church”, where she continued in the choir, volunteered her time, and made wonderful friends.

To say that Florence was an “active senior” would be an understatement. Although her home in Oceana was considered a retirement community, Florence found herself volunteering regularly at the community’s “Share and Wear” thrift store, took aerobic swimming classes, and in her 80’s took computer classes, then volunteered to teach other seniors how to use a computer.

Florence did slow down over the last few years, however did not miss a night of Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy. Florence received many cards during the holidays and for special occasions. She always shared the cards, and pictures of family that often accompanied the cards, with individuals that visited her home. She was very proud of her son, two granddaughters and four great grandchildren. She was surrounded in her home by the things that she enjoyed most, her clown collection, tea cups, paper weights, and pictures of family. When reflecting on Florence, her husband Del says it best, “She was a wonderful good person – she was a great gal.” Florence truly lived a blessed and full life.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Summerlin-Funeral Home, Las Vegas, NV.