Florence Viola LaPlante, age 93 of Hudson died June 28, 2017 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN.  Florence was born on April 15, 1924 in North Branch, Minnesota; the daughter of Oscar and Alice (Means) Johnson.  She was raised in North Branch where she would graduate from high school and would further her education at the Minneapolis Business College.  As a young woman, she worked as a bookkeeper for Bannon’s Department Store and later 3M Manufacturing.  On August 19, 1952, she was united in marriage to Frank Richard LaPlante, this union would be blessed with eight children.  After Frank worked in the restaurant business in St Paul, Frank and Florence opened LaBons Truck Stop at Exit 4 in Hudson.  When Frank retired in 1988, they sold the truck stop.

Florence was an incredible woman who was proud of her community and giving back to others. She was a proud member of the Hudson Woman’s Club where she had served as president, treasurer, and secretary.  She enjoyed working at the Woman’s Club antique shows and countless hours of volunteering. She was a strong force in grass root capital campaign fundraising for Hudson Memorial Hospital, Mount Zion Lutheran Church, and the Phipps Center for the Arts.  In fact, she was awarded the prestigious awards of ‘Hudson Area Citizen of the Year’ and ‘Great American Family Award’ from the Wisconsin Extension Homemakers Council for her hard work and dedication to Hudson.

Florence enjoyed her flower gardens, reading her novels and wintering in Hawaii. Her greatest love came from being surrounded by her family.

Florence will be forever remembered by her children Patricia Demma of White Bear Lake, MN, Cheryl (Daniel)  Ader of Oakdale, MN, Michele (Steven) Bahneman of Hudson, Tearle (Lerma) LaPlante of Oakdale, MN,  Scott (Susan) LaPlante of St. Paul, MN, Bruce (Merita) LaPlante of Hammond, WI, Timothy LaPlante of North Olmsted, OH, Chris (Roxanne) LaPlante of St. Paul Park, MN, 22 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Laurie Johnson, Kay Johnson, and Vonnie Johnson; and many nieces and nephews;  Florence is preceded in death by her husband Frank; grandson Jason, siblings Lloyd Johnson, Garry Johnson, Roger (Pat) Johnson, James Johnson, and Betty Jo Heilig.

Visitation for Florence will be at 10AM prior to the funeral service at 11AM Friday July 7, at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Hudson.  Burial will be at the Willow River Cemetery in Hudson with her sons as active casket bearers.