Florence I. Kalamakis

Florence Kalamakis was born September 4, 1922 to the late William and Myra (Anderson) Rudolph at LaCrosse, Washington. She passed away on August 4, 2015 at the age of 92 and 10 months after experiencing a short period of lung cancer. She died just the way she wanted to, in her own home and surrounded by family. She was raised and educated in LaCrosse, where she graduated from High School. Florence joined the WAVES, a branch of the United States Navy, in 1943 and served in both San Francisco and Hawaii during WWII. While stationed in Pearl Harbor, she met Peter Kalamakis, who was stationed there as a Marine. She was honorably discharged from the Navy in October of 1945. Florence and Pete were married on March 8, 1946 in Seattle, Washington and made their first home in Spokane. They moved to Moses Lake in 1954 where Florence was a manager at Montgomery Ward, bookkeeper at Parker Buick, and administrative assistant at Moses Lake High School for 25 years. After retiring from the school district, she returned to the family body shop as the receptionist and bookkeeper, working up until June 2015. She and Pete lived in the same house for 61 years. She was a Charter member and active in the Karneetsa Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution for over 25 years. She was an avid reader, enjoyed gardening in her younger years, and was a loyal friend as evidenced by the abundance of cards she received yearly from long-time friends. Florence and Pete enjoyed summer weekends at their camping spot at Mountain River Trails in Cle Elum. Their children and families would join them for campfires and fishing derbys. Other pastimes included bowling, pinochle, pheasant hunting and many wood cutting excursions. Florence is survived by three children and their spouses, Steve and Cindy Kalamakis, Kathy Kalamakis, Bob Kalamakis and Jeanie Simmons; six grandchildren and their wonderful spouses; Travis and Katie, Hailey and Sandy, Rachel and Brandon, Hanna and Joel, Leah and Mathieu, and Steven; four great grandchildren; Payton,Tyson, Chanelle and Alayna; a sister Letah Schayes, a sister-in-law Dorothy Rudolph, and numerous nieces and nephews. Viewing will be held from 1 to 7 p.m., Friday, August 7, 2015, from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, August 8th and from 9 to 9:30 a.m., Monday, August 10th at Kayser’s Chapel. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m., Monday, August 10th at Kayser’s Chapel with Pastor Floyd Wilks, officiating. Interment with military honors will be at Pioneer Memorial Gardens. A reception will be held following the graveside committal service. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to: Karneetsa Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, 1859 Road F.5 N.W., Moses Lake, WA 98837. Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com Arrangements are in care of Kayser’s Chapel & Crematory.

Florence I. Kalamakis

September 4, 1922 - August 4, 2015