Florence M. West

Florence West was born April 18, 1921, to August and Bertha Menge West, in Sheldon, ND. She grew up and attended school in Clay County. In 1920s the country was recovering from WWI, followed by the Depression. Life was tough for everyone, including Florence’s family of 10. Florence came to know the Lord one summer when a neighbor invited her and her two sisters to church. Florence said she believed the first time she heard about the Lord. She said this was the only time she attended church as a child. In 8th grade she left her home and worked as a nanny and a maid for a family in Glyndon, MN. Her room and board consisted of pillow and a blanket and slept on the floor by a wood burning stove. Each day, after school, she cared for children and the house. It was midnight before she had the time to study and do her homework. Florence graduated High School, a Valedictorian of her class.
After her graduation from High School, Florence worked for Consolidated Aircraft Company in San Diego CA. During WWII she worked in the parts department for the company that made B 12 bombers for the Air Force. Florence saved her money for tuition to attend college. In 1949, she enrolled in Multnomah School of the Bible. One summer evening, Florence and her friend, attended a meeting hosted by Billy Graham in Portland, OR. The following is taken from the history page of the Billy Graham Evangistical Association web site.
At the mid-point of the 20th century, evangelist Billy Graham was just months removed from the 1949 Greater Los Angeles Crusade that launched his fledgling ministry into national prominence. As a result of this sudden exposure, Graham was approached about beginning a nationwide Christian radio program. Though he dismissed the notion at first, he eventually agreed, if $25, 000 could be raised in one night to begin the process of buying air time. That night in Portland, Ore., the funds – an exceedingly large amount of money at the time – did come in, and the radio program “Hour of Decision” was born. .
Florence described her arguing with God over giving her savings to Billy Graham. She said I need the money for my college. Her friend ask her what the problem was and why she was uneasy, Florence did not reply to her friend, but before the evening ended Florence did give her savings account money and her donation was part of the funds raised and met the $25, 000 prayer request that Billy Graham needed to start the Hour of Decision. Even as a young woman, Florence’s commitment was to serve God and to be in His will. Florence trusted God to meet all her needs, including school tuition. Florence graduated from Multnomah School of the Bible in 1952.
In June 1952, Florence was employed by Youth for Christ founded in 1944. Incredibly, without an accounting degree, Florence worked in the accounting department and became a Sr. Accountant for Youth For Christ. It is very interesting that Billy Graham, Bob Pierce and Florence West all started in ministry at Youth For Christ in the early and formative years.
Florence was with Youth For Christ from 1952 to 1957, before she moved to California to work for World Vision, founded by Bob Pierce. While researching Florence West life, Diana called Youth For Christ to determine the dates that Florence was with them. The contact person said she would see if there was anyone on staff that may have worked with Florence. June Thompson called Diana and said she had worked with Florence and was excited to hear from Florence’s niece. June also said she was a former coworker who is currently working at Youth For Christ after 61 years. June spoke lovingly and highly of Florence. Yes, 58 years later, Florence is remembered, admired and loved by her co-worker. It speaks volumes of Florence! June ask Diana to give Florence a message and is still thinking of her.
In 1957, Florence answered God’s call to leave Youth For Christ and accepted a position with World Vision. World Vision had just been started by Bob Pierce and was operating in his garage. Florence was the one person accounting office. Florence set up the accounting systems and in 1959 she was named controller of World Vision. The basic systems Florence set up in World Vision when she started were being used when she retired.
She held that position until she retired in 1987. During her work there, she’s traveled to countless number of countries. During one of her 6 month stay in Africa, she got seriously ill, but recovered. In Vietnam, Florence’s mission was to aid and to bring orphans out of Vietnam to US. She loved and served the Lord unconditionally and was used by God in an incredible ways! In later years, Bob Pierce wrote a heartwarming letter on his death bed of appreciation to Florence, for her long years of service. After 30 year service to World Vision, Florence retired.
Florence loved the Lord and she loved her family. She shared the Lord with them, sat by their bedside when they got ill. During one of the mission trips to Vietnam to bring orphans to the US, she was able to see and spend time with Curt Blakeway, her nephew, who was serving in the U S Army.
In 1987, as a new retiree, Florence built a home in Hendersonville, NC, and became actively involved with the Salvation Army, serving meals on holidays and donating time and money to the Hendersonville ministry and her new church. In 2008, Florence moved to Senior Living Center in Hawley MN, where is finished her race in July 9, 2015.
Florence was smart, loving, determined and humbled warrior of Christ. I am convinced that when Florence came before God the Father, she heard Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Mathew 25:21.
Florence is survived by Sister Doris Blakeway, Brothers Ross and Kenneth West.
Florence proceeded in death by her parents August and Bertha West, Sister Alice, Brothers Frank, Lyle, Rusty and Thomas.

Visitation: Friday, July 10, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., in Wright Funeral Home, Hawley, MN.

Funeral: Saturday, July 11, at 10:30 a.m., in Wright Funeral Home, Hawley, MN.

Interment: Hawley Cemetery