Florence Flagg

Born to Anna and John Engbrecht on May 27, 1920 in Dickinson, North Dakota, and the youngest of 9 children, Florence Flagg was a woman full of life, love, humor, and strength.  Florence grew up and spent most of her life in Kirkland, WA, where she and her family were an important part of the community. After graduating from Kirkland High School in 1938, Florence worked for Juanita Shipyards in support of the war effort.  On July 11, 1944 she married Thomas B. Flagg of Medina, WA, first meeting at one of the many dances they attended in Juanita.  Together they laughed, danced, and raised two sons.  Florence and Thomas owned the AB Flagg Flower Bulb Company in Seattle, an import business started by Thomas’ father that helped establish Skagit Valley as a premier bulb-growing region, until the mid 1960's.  Florence continued working as a bookkeeper until she retired in the early 1970’s. After retirement, Florence and Thomas enjoyed many years at their beach cabin on Puget Sound, where they would dig clams, go crabbing, and entertain family and friends.  Fulfilling a life-long dream, in late 1980’s they purchased a ranch in Montana, overlooking Flathead Lake.  There, Florence enjoyed farm life, raising chickens, mineralogy, gardening, and watching thunderstorms move across the landscape.  Florence and Thomas moved to Port Orchard in 1995 to be closer to family.  Her joy in Port Orchard was the love and friendship of her daughter-in-law, Cindy, who she considered her best friend.  Florence was preceded in death by her husband Thomas, who passed in 2005. She is survived by her sons Thomas A. Flagg and wife Cindra Rathbone of Port Orchard, and Richard L. Flagg and wife Patty Dowty of Gig Harbor; granddaughters Laura Flagg and Sarah Flagg and husband Benjamin Brobak of Seattle; Ryan Rathbone of Seattle and Darin Rathbone and family of Washougal; sister-in-law Laura Engbrecht of Bremerton; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families whom she held very dear. Funeral service 11am, Monday, January 12th at Rill's Life Tribute Center in Port Orchard.  Graveside service following at 2:30pm at Sunset Hills in Bellevue.