Florence Mary Rose Carson, age 90, passed away on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at the VNA Horton Hospice Center in Valparaiso, Ind.

She was born on the family farm near Westville, Ind., on August 11, 1922 to the late Nicholas and Catherine (nee Eing) Metzinger.

She married Russell J. Carson on December 29, 1941.

She is survived by eight children, Russell F. (Norma) Carson, Catherine (Dennis) Williams, Nicholas Carson, Charles (Margaret) Carson, Annette (David) Slager, Henry (Donna) Carson, Christian (friend Dawn) Carson, Clifford Carson, 29 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren with one on the way, and one great-great granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell J. Carson in 1990; son, Richard E. Carson; granddaughter, Dana; siblings, Martha Eileen Dittrich, Aloysius, Richard, and Delbert Metzinger.

Florence was a resident of Westville, a homemaker and farm wife, a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, a 1940 graduate of Clinton Twp. High School, active in the Clinton Twp. Homemakers Club, Clinton Alumni, and The Pioneer Village in LaPorte, Ind., where she portrayed the schoolteacher teaching many school groups in the "old ways.” She also volunteered for many years at the St. Agnes Day Service Center. She attended the LaPorte County Fair for 91 consecutive years with her first fair being two weeks after she was born, was known for her cookie baking at both Clinton and South Central schools where her children attended, her favorite hobby was cake decorating and she made wedding cakes for her children as well as others, and demonstrated crocheting at the National Lakeshore Fall Harvest Festival at the Chellberg Farm for several years. As a girl she was active in 4-H, winning awards for her abilities, and continued winning blue ribbons at the LaPorte County fair for her crocheted potholders and doll dresses, as well as for knitting and decorations. All of her life Florence was a faithful Cub fan with the dream of them winning the World Series. She has left behind many special friends among both the older and younger generations. Her 90th birthday party in 2012 was a special event in her life with family and friends who will remember Florence as a loving and giving person.

Services will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. from the Dykes Funeral Home, 2305 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso, Ind., for a 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Paul Catholic Church, 1855 W. Harrison Blvd., Valparaiso, Ind., with her grandson, Rev. Ian William officiating as presider, and Rev. Joseph Pawlowski, con-celebrant. Burial will be at St. Paul Cemetery, Valparaiso, Ind.

Friends may call on Friday, February 8, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Dykes Funeral Home with a 4:30 p.m. Wake service.

Memorials may be made to the St. Agnes Day Service Center and the VNA of Porter County.

Arrangements are being handled by Dykes Funeral Home, Inc. (219) 462-3125.