The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Florence (Kuebler) Whitney, age 85, passed away June 14, 2015 in Longview, Washington. She left this world peacefully, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born February 23, 1930 in Newark, New Jersey to Robert and Florence (Klingel) Kuebler, the second of five children. She graduated valedictorian of her class from Arts High School, the first public school in the United States specializing in the visual and performing arts. She was an excellent artist.

She married Harry C. Whitney July 15, 1950 and three children were born of this union - Bruce, David, and Kathy. They raised their family in Portland, Oregon and together they spent much time picnicking at Merwin Dam and camping in the mountains and at the coast. There was a family dog, a Norwegian Elkhound, named Sheba, who was always at her side.

In addition to her homemaking duties, she enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, and gardening. She was a voracious reader. She was a fierce competitor and enjoyed league bowling, golf, ping pong, cards and board games. She also found the time to volunteer while her children were young, serving as a Boy Scout and Girl Scout Leader. Perhaps her greatest talent and joy of all was that as being "Grandma."

She and her husband retired to Palm Springs, California in 1986 and sadly, he died but a year later. She continued to live in Palm Springs for 20 years; spending time golfing with long time companion Wayne Elsaesser, playing Panguingue and shuffleboard, and volunteering as a reading tutor for migrant worker's children. She also enjoyed travelling with her sister at this time and together they saw many sights in the United States and Europe.

She is survived by her children; Bruce (Bonnie) Whitney, David (Libby) Whitney, and Kathy (Cory) Conlin; six grandchildren, Gia, Trevor, Suzanne, Erin, Rosie, and Beth; two great-grandchildren, Kaleb and Armando; a brother, Robert Kuebler, sister-in-law Doris Kuebler, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Whitney, long-time companion Wayne Elsaesser, brother John Kuebler, brother William Kuebler, and sister Betty Golden.

Funeral services will be held July 11th at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Cathlamet, Washington, at 11:00 a.m., with a private inurnment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Western and Central Washington State Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, North Tower, Suite 200, 100 West Harrison Street, Seattle, Washington 98119. The family was assisted by Dahl-McVicker Funeral Home, Longview, WA.