Obituary of Florence Gladys Shervin

Florence Gladys Shervin

(May 16, 1917 - September 20, 2019)

Florence Gladys Johnson, the youngest of eleven children was born on May 16, 1917 at Ashby, Minnesota to John Johnson and Tilda Anderson.

Florence was predeceased by her parents John and Tilda; husband Gilbert Shervin; and siblings Charlie, Albert, Oliver, Katie, Edward, Lewis, Margaret, Inez, Theodore and Melvin. Florence is a special friend and great-aunt to many, and a sixth generation great-aunt to the Roy Johnson family. 

Florence attended school in Melby and Garfield Minnesota. On October 15, 1935, at the age of eighteen, Florence was married to Gilbert Shervin. They celebrated forty-three years of marriage. Gilbert passed away in October 1978. The following excerpts are written by Florence and are published in the Johnson-Almstrong Family History Book and the Camrose Booster.

“In 1931, I came to Ardmore, Alberta with my two brothers, Ted and Melvin. My Dad had taken a homestead. It was the first time I had seen and to know my brother Albert. He had gone to Canada about ten years before I was born.

There was only a wagon trail for roads and thick bush. Sometimes the coyotes seemed to be right outside of the house when they howled. Gilbert and I were married in 1935, and in 1939 Gilbert took over his mother’s farm, which was near Camrose, Alberta. I liked to work outside so learned to drive the tractor, combine and other things. There were no cabs or push buttons then. Sometimes it would get pretty cold in the winter, or in the summer it could be pretty dirty.

I liked everything about farming. I used to talk to the cattle, and they seemed to talk back to me. During calving season we would have to teach the little calves how to drink. In 1972 we sold the farm and moved to an apartment in Camrose. We did caretaking and I continued for a few years after Gilbert passed away. I liked to be outside, so I looked after the yard like a caretaker. I took care of the halls inside and did the mowing and what have you outside.”

Several years after Gilbert’s passing, Florence moved into the Stony Creek Lodge in Camrose. From there she spent a few months in Bashaw and then moved into the Rosealta Lodge in Camrose where she resided until her passing. Florence was an active participant in the daily lodge life and enjoyed the many friends she made over the years.

Florence celebrated her 100th Birthday on May 16, 2017. Her wit was sharp and her smile was youthful. When asked what her secret to a long, happy life was, her answer was spot on. “I haven’t really tried. I just keep going and just enjoy. That’s about it.” And her final piece of wisdom: “Just do what you can do!”

A Funeral Service was held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, September 26, 2019 from the Burgar Memorial Chapel, 4817 - 51 Avenue Camrose. Interment has taken place in the Parkland Cemetery.

If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Florence's memory may be made to St. Mary's Hospital - Unit 2 Palliative Care, or to the Parkland Cemetery, or to the Ardmore Duclos Memorial Cemetery.