Florence Madora Sine Averbeck

Florence Madora Sine Averbeck, 93, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2018 at Hillview Health Care Center in La Crosse.

Florence was born on December 9, 1924 to Walter Gaines Sine and Florence Carlotta Schaettle, in Chicago, Illinois, and enjoyed her childhood as their only beloved child. Walter Sine passed away when Florence was only 8 years old and after her widowed mother remarried, was also raised by her stepfather, Edward McCormick. Florence loved to go to the home of her maternal grandparents in Alma, Wisconsin, and in 1952, on one such visit, met the love of her life, Roger George Averbeck, an Alma native and WW II veteran.

Florence attended Carlton College in Northfield, Minnesota and worked at Goodman Memorial Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. Florence and Roger Averbeck were married on May 9, 1953 at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Chicago, and then moved to La Crosse where they lived and raised their family.

Florence was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a founding member of the La Crosse Society of Arts and Crafts. She was an accomplished artist and art teacher that specialized in plein air painting, rural landscapes, Mississippi River valley scenes and individual portraits. Her artistry is how she is often remembered by her students, friends, and family.

Florence was an amazing cook and enjoyed entertaining guests in her well-kept home in La Crosse. In their later years, Florence and Roger enjoyed traveling to Italy, Egypt, Cuba and Mexico. They spent many winters in San Clemente, California while maintaining the family home in La Crosse. Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Roger in September 2015. She is survived by her sons, George (Holly) Averbeck of Flagstaff, Arizona, and Roger (Lynn) Averbeck of Portland, Oregon, and grandchildren, Sara Marie Averbeck and Rose Ellen Averbeck of Eugene, Oregon.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at Schumacher- Kish Funeral Home, 200 West Ave. S., La Crosse. Visitation will also be held from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at Talbot Family Funeral Home, 340 Hwy 35 in Alma, WI. Private burial will follow in the Alma Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.