Florence M. "Flo" Worland

Florence M. “Flo” Worland, 100, died Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor. A lifelong Kansan, Florence Marie arrived April 30, 1925, the third of eight children born to Floyd and Hazel (Hartman) Shideler at Pleasant Hill Farm in rural McCune. She attended Pleasant Hill Grade School and graduated from West Mineral High School in 1942, where she participated in music, plays, and sports. She also was active in the Monmouth 4-H Club.

Flo’s secretarial career began at the Cherokee County Farm Bureau followed by a position at the newly built Parsons Ordnance Plant. She was hired by the Columbus law firm of Armstrong & Armstrong and continued working for Paul Armstrong when he served as Cherokee County Attorney.

In 1951, Flo moved to Topeka, where she was employed in the legal departments of the Kansas Department of Transportation, the Kansas Turnpike Authority, and the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, ending her career there in 1987. She later returned to work for two years as a secretary for the Kansas Legislature in the House of Representatives.

Having begun league bowling while in southeast Kansas, Flo continued developing her skills in Topeka. In 1958, Flo qualified for the first Top-Ten Tournament of Topeka women bowlers and competed for eight consecutive years, capturing the championship in 1963. She excelled as a member of the Topeka Women’s Bowling Association (TWBA) for over 40 years, becoming a member of the Women’s 600 Bowling Club and serving 23 years on the executive board. She looked forward to traveling to tournaments across the country. In 1986, Flo was inducted into the TWBA Hall of Fame.

An outstanding cook, Flo enjoyed preparing family dinners, playing cards, making crafts, and planting flowers. She was a member of Highland Park United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir and led the Solos singles group. In retirement, she volunteered at St. Francis Hospital and regularly served as an election day worker.

In 2016, Flo moved to Lawrence to be near niece Cathy Crispino and her husband Ron Hathorn. Despite failing health, Flo was able to celebrate her 100th birthday with loved ones and caregivers who filled her room with balloons, flowers, cards, and cupcakes.

Her family is grateful for the many kindnesses Flo received from the staff members of Presbyterian Manor and Elara Caring Hospice.

Flo married Donald B. Andersen in 1955. They were divorced. Flo married Thurlyn Dale Worland in 1971. He preceded her in death in 1989. She was also predeceased by siblings Dorothy Porubsky, Margaret Niedfeldt, Charles Shideler, and Edith Crispino.

Survivors include step-daughter, Judith (James) Ewert of Santa Fe, New Mexico, two step-grandsons, siblings Harold (Joanne) Shideler of McCune, Pauline Morris of Niles, Ohio, and Frances Perkins of Burlingame, California, and a host of nieces and nephews who were so very fond of their Aunt Flo.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Highland Park United Methodist Church, 2914 SE Michigan Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66605.

A service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 15, 2025 at Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota, Topeka. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. Burial will be at West Lawn Memorial Gardens, 820 SW Auburn Rd, Topeka.

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