Florence Sage

Florence Sage was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who raised her children with a firm, but loving hand. She enjoyed cooking and crocheting and was known for opening her house to the neighborhood kids. She cherished her lifelong friendships from high school, but her favorite place to relax was at home with her family.

Born September 19, 1935 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Edward and Evelyn (Kendall) Poulsen, Florence was the oldest of five children. Edward and Evelyn worked hard to raise Florence and her siblings, Tom, Jim, Sandy, and Cheri. Florence grew up during the years known as the Great Depression. It was these years and the WWII years that followed that formed the hard work ethic and patriotism of Florence’s generation. The Sage family lived on Patterson on the North side of Kalamazoo where Florence played with her friends and went to school. After elementary and middle school, Florence attended Kalamazoo Central High School through the 11th grade.

Florence met her future husband, Bill Sage through mutual friends. After dating for nine months the young couple was married on June 6, 1952. They started their married life together in Kalamazoo moving into the Vine Street neighborhood. Florence and Bill started their family right away. Over the years they brought four beautiful children into the world: Debbie, Troy, Robin and William. It was Florence’s job to run the household and pay the bills and she did her job very well! Even though their mom was a strict disciplinarian the kids knew she loved them dearly. Florence had a way of relating to kids and could “speak their language.” The Sage house became the “Kool-Aid House” of the neighborhood! When Florence wasn’t outside playing ball with the kids, she could be found in the house cooking their favorite food: enchiladas, peanut dessert and banana salad.

When Florence and Bill had the chance, they packed up the kids and headed down to Florida. This let them soak up some sun and get away from the cold Michigan winters. It also allowed them to spend cherished time as a family. They did this for thirteen years.

Since “sleeping was a waste of time”, it made sense that Florence enjoyed staying up to watch David Letterman on late night TV. She also enjoyed reading romance novels and good juicy books. As a couple, Florence and Bill would have celebrated their fifty-seventh anniversary together. Florence felt that the secret to their marriage was getting along well with her husband. The last few years the two enjoyed watching racing together on TV, (possibly a hold-over from her younger days, when the kids said Florence had a lead foot when it came to driving)!

Not only did Florence nurture a long-time relationship with her husband, she also maintained friendships from her high school days. When she could, Florence spent time with her friends doing the things they loved to do.

Florence was known for speaking her mind. She was firm and strict, but everyone knew they were welcome in her house; the neighborhood kids, friends and even stray dogs that the boys would bring home to stay! Florence would leave to get her hair done once a week, but she always was the most comfortable in her own home. There was no other place in the world she’d rather be.

Florence was the kind of woman who believed in family and friends. Her commitment to both is evident in her lifelong friendships and fifty-six year marriage to her husband, Bill. She enjoyed the simple things in life, road trips, racing, and watching late night TV. It is the devotion she leaves behind to her friends and family that she will be remembered for.

Florence Sage, age 73 passed away January 5, 2009 at her residence. Florence was preceded in death by her parents and 2 brothers; Tom and Jim Poulsen. On June 6, 1952 she was united in marriage to William “Bill” Sage who survives. Also surviving are 4 children; Debbie (Lee) Waber of Kalamazoo, Troy (Cindy) Sage of Plainwell, Robin (Howard) Call of Lawton, William (Dawn) Sage of Parchment, 8 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 2 sisters; Sandy (Glen) Priester of Lawton and Cheri Snow of Coldwater. A service to honor her life will be held Friday 6 pm at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler & Thompson 60900 M-40 657-3870. Private interment will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Please visit her personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign her guest book, share a memory or photo or make a memorial contribution to the West Michigan Cancer Center.