Florence Josephine Radford

Florence Josephine (Tomporowski) Radford passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026, in Long Lake, Minnesota. It was the morning of her 97th birthday, a moment her family regards as a special blessing and a beautiful close to a full and complete life.

Florence was born in 1929 to Warren and Rosella (Krawiecki) Tomporowski and grew up on the family farm in Foley, Minnesota with her six cherished siblings. Four preceded her in death: William Tomporowski, Clothielde Jedlicki, Lorraine Pintok, and Martin Tomporowski. She is survived by her twin sisters, Rose Lubbesmeyer and Rita Johnson, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Life on the farm shaped Florence’s strong spirit and work ethic. As a young girl she chopped wood to heat the house, made hay when the sun was high, and walked to a one-room schoolhouse. She was chased by chickens and geese, slept under a down comforter on cold Minnesota nights, and rode through the dirt roads of Benton County in the rumble seat of her brother Martin’s Model A.

After graduating from high school, Florence longed for city life and bravely moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. She found an apartment and a job at Montgomery Ward filling mail orders for sewing patterns. One fortuitous St. Patrick’s Day while at the Turf Club with a girlfriend, she met an Irishman, Jack Radford, who would become the love of her life. They married in 1952.

Jack and Flo built their family home in Little Canada overlooking Lake Gervais. There they raised their five children: Colleen Mechelke (Bruce, †2018), Terry Fleischhacker (Bill), Mary Radford, John Radford (Kristy), and Patty Radford Henderson (Chan Poling).

Those years were filled with family activity and community life. Days were spent with picnics in the yard, boating on the lake, chasing after family dogs, running children to sporting events, piano and dance lessons, landscaping projects, remodeling, hosting and visiting extended family, and attending weekly Mass.

Florence’s entrepreneurial spirit and appreciation for beautiful and well-made things showed themselves in many ways. She sold turquoise jewelry from her brother William at home parties and worked at Mary Adams—an upscale dress shop in Har Mar Mall. For decades she was a Forever Living representative and business owner, enthusiastically sharing the benefits of supplements and the mighty aloe vera plant with anyone who would listen. Florence always had a love for antiques and later began working estate sales, where her keen eye and knack for spotting a good deal became legendary among family and friends.

Family remained at the center of her life. Florence and Jack often pitched in at their son John’s restaurant, the Mill Creek Inn in Buffalo, Minnesota—Flo in the kitchen and Jack behind the bar. She also enjoyed traveling with family and visiting loved ones, and treasured the time she spent helping care for their growing brood.

Nana Flo was adored and is lovingly remembered by her grandchildren Lindsay Kendrick, Shane Mechelke (Angela Cavalier), Andrew Mechelke (Steph Green), Katelyn Radford, Emily Radford, Flynn Henderson, and Piper Henderson; great-grandchildren Elianna Kendrick, Hadassah Kendrick, Shemuel Kendrick, and Owen Mechelke, along with step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Florence was happiest in her garden, making chicken dumpling soup, wheeling and dealing in antiques, and sharing stories and laughter with family and friends. She took pride in finding beauty and value in unexpected places.

Florence’s life was defined by resilience, humor, generosity, and the kind of unconditional love that made everyone around her feel at home.

Florence continued to live in the family home in Little Canada until 2018, following Jack’s passing in 1999. She spent her final years in Long Lake, Minnesota.

Heartfelt thanks to her daughters Mary and Terry, whose loving care made it possible for Florence to remain surrounded by family, and to the wonderful caregivers who helped provide comfort in recent years.

Visitation will be Friday, March 20, beginning at 10:00 a.m., with Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 380 Little Canada Road East, Little Canada, Minnesota. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

As a living tribute, those wishing to honor Florence’s memory are encouraged to plant flowers in their yard or plant a tree in her honor: https://shop.alivingtribute.org/products/plant-a-tree-in-honor