Florine O'Donnell

Florine O'Donnell (Therkildsen), 90 years young, of Portage, Michigan, died peacefully on March 20, 2019. Florine was born to Ernest and Marjorie (Tripp) Rossell on October 3, 1928, in Jackson, MI. She graduated from Allegan High School in 1946 and received her nursing degree in 1963. Florine married Jim Therkildsen in 1947. Together, they had four children who survive her, Terry Therkildsen (Connie), Lyn Escobar (Therkildsen), David Therkildsen (Nancy), and Charlene Rusk (Therkildsen). She also leaves to cherish her memory 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Florine later married Bert O'Donnell in 1981 and gained six step-children whom she loved dearly, Bob O'Donnell (Phyllis), CaroLynne O'Donnell, Kathleen Effler (Steven), Peggy O'Donnell, Brian O'Donnell (Mary), and David O'Donnell (Sue). Florine's marriage to Bert expanded the family by 12 additional grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Avid sailors, Florine and Bert sailed for many years while living in Massachusetts and North Carolina before returning to Portage in 2002. The family remembers her as a loving and active mom who laughed often. Flo and her family traveled extensively, having adventures in Europe and Central America. She also joined her kids and grandkids on several cross-country camping trips. She spent many happy summers vacationing with her family at Crystal Lake in Northern Michigan, and she was an avid MSU football and basketball fan, eagerly anticipating every game. Flo was preceded in death by Bert O'Donnell, her sisters, Theresa Slentz and Vivian Evans, and her cats, Oreo and Molly. A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 23, at First Congregational Church, 345 West Michigan Ave., in Kalamazoo. Visitors will be received from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Please visit Florine's webpage at www.avinkcremation.com where you can sign her guestbook and share a memory. The family requests that donations be made to Kalamazoo Animal Rescue or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. The family is being assisted by the Avink Funeral Home & Cremation Society, 129 S. Grand, Schoolcraft, MI (269-679-5622).