Huge Marriages Search Engine!
Ruth Kalsow of Winter Haven Dies at 103
Ledger staff
WINTER HAVEN -- Mrs. Ruth B. Kalsow of Winter Haven died of congestive heart failure Saturday (Jan. 29, 2005) at Life Care Center in Winter Haven. She was 103.
Born in Iowa, on Jan. 15, 1902, she lived in Houston before coming to Winter Haven. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, North Gate Chapter, in Des Moines, Iowa. She was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church and attended Westchase United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Kalsow was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Kalsow. She is survived by her niece, Linda Davis.
Graveside services will be held in Houston.
Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, Winter Haven.
GILBERTO ACOSTA, 24
Fruit Picker
HAINES CITY -- Mr. Gilberto Sauzo Acosta of Haines City died of injuries sustained in an auto accident Jan. 22, 2005, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 24.
Born in Honduras on July 21, 1980, he came to Haines City from there one year ago. He was a fruit picker. He also worked for Angelos Lawncare in Haines City. He was a Catholic.
Mr. Acosta is survived by his brothers, Maximiliano S. Acosta, Jorge S. Acosta, Apolonio S. Acosta, Luis S. Acosta, all of Honduras; sisters, Leonarda Suazo, Nelly Suazo, both of Honduras; parents, Braulia and Gilberto Sauzo Acosta, Honduras.
Memorial services will be held in Honduras.
Steele's Family Funeral Services, Winter Haven.
Farinace Watson, 77, Bartow Memorial
LAKELAND -- Mrs. Farinace A. Watson's nurturing personality was felt by her children, neighbors, co-workers and patients at Bartow Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Watson, a retired surgical technician for Bartow Memorial, died of heart failure Sunday (Jan. 30, 2005) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. She was 77.
"She said after having so many children and caring for them that she just felt that she would love to be in that type (medical) of field, " said her son, Ron Watson of Lakeland. "She worked close to 20 years in the medical profession."
"She was a person that took care of people. She took care of our neighbors for many, many years. She was very independent. She would rather people depend on her than her depend on someone else."
Born in Douglas, Ga., on Aug. 3, 1927, she moved to Bartow as a young girl. She married Cecil M. "PeeWee" Watson in 1943.
"I can never remember my father calling her anything but `Sweetheart, ' " Ron Watson said. "She and my dad were a couple made in heaven. It was love at first sight."
"They were inseparable."
He described his mother as a giving, outgoing lady with a remarkable memory and wonderful sense of humor.
Mrs. Watson's career included working for Polk General Hospital for a few years and Bartow Memorial Hospital, where she retired after 18 years.
She came to Lakeland from Bartow 24 years ago. She was a Baptist.
Mrs. Watson was preceded in death by her husband in 1986. In addition to her son, Ron Watson, she is survived by her sons, Buddy Watson, Irvin Watson and Pete Watson, all of Bartow, and Kim Reed, Lakeland; daughters, Delores McGill, Bartow, and Patricia Whellis, Lakeland; sisters, Kitty Buchanan and Gladys Melton, both of Bartow; 26 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; and one greatgreat-grandchild.
Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday at WhiddenMcLean Funeral Home, 650 E. Main St., Bartow. Services will follow at 3 p.m. at the funeral home chapel.
MICHAEL HARDER, 58
Polk Correctional Facilities
POLK CITY -- Mr. Michael Frank Harder of Polk City died of complications of surgery Wednesday (Jan. 26, 2005) at home. He was 58.
Born in Port Huron, Mich., Mr. Harder came to Polk County in 1979. He was a food service director for the Polk County Correctional Facilities. He was a Navy veteran during the Vietnam War.
Mr. Harder is survived by his wife, Betty Harder; daughters, Audrey Harder, Clermont, Alicia Lee, Lakeland; son, Nathan Harder, Polk City; brothers, Robert Harder, Bowling Green, Ky., Christopher Harder, Springfield, Tenn.
Kersey Funeral Home, Auburndale.
SARAH DURHAM, 67
Teacher
WINTER HAVEN -- Mrs. Sarah Williams Durham of Winter Haven died of cancer Saturday (Dec. 25, 2004) at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. She was 67.
Born in Carrollton, Ill., she came here from West Palm Beach in 1973. She was a teacher. She was a member of First Baptist Church and Four Corners Baptist Church.
Mrs. Durham is survived by her husband, Jim Durham; daughters, Becky Campbell, Martinsburg, W. Va., Christy McCollough, Winter Haven; brothers, Bill Williams, Winter Haven; sisters, Bobby Buck and Jane Morgan, both of Winter Haven.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Crisp-Coon Funeral Homes, Winter Haven. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, Winter Haven.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Winter Haven Christian School Scholarship Fund.
LOIS STARKE, 49
Administrator
DAVENPORT -- Mrs. Lois Jean Starke of Davenport died of complications from diabetes Monday (Dec. 20, 2004) in Winter Haven. She was 49.
Born April 11, 1955, in Minnesota, she came here from Hayward, Wis., in 1999. She was an administrator. She was a member of Women of the Moose Lodge 1867 in Hayward and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mrs. Starke is survived by her husband, David L. Starke; mother, Helen Mortonsen, Colorado; daughters, Melissa F. Ahmed, Hayward, Hilary D. Owens, San Diego, Calif.; sisters, Peggy, Mary, Alicia, Lynn, Trisha; and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Davenport. Services will follow at 11 a.m. at the church.
Memorials may be made to American Diabetes, 1101 N. Lake Destiny Road, Maitland, FL 32751-7105.
Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Haines City.
