Florence C. Japhet

Florence C. Japhet, 91, Durango, Colo., died Jan. 3, 2012, at Durango. 

She was born Aug. 29, 1920, at Scott City, the daughter of  Lloyd and Estella Rudolph.

She grew up on the Rudolph farm northwest of Scott City and graduated from Scott Community High School.

She worked as a cook on the Bilby Ranch in Logan County. 

In 1941, she married Donald Japhet at Scott City. He is deceased.

They moved to Wichita and worked in the Boeing airplane factory, helping to manufacture B-29 heavy bombers.

Throughout their lives, Don and Florence worked together as a team on several family-owned businesses. They raised cattle in Scott County and Alamosa County, Colo., in the 1950s. During the 1960’s, Florence was the “right-hand man” in the family-owned wholesale food business in Lakewood, Colo. They owned and operated the Central Motel in Ft. Morgan, Colo., from 1972 until their retirement in 1977. The Japhets moved to Durango in 1988 to be close to their grandchildren.

Survivors include: two sons, Michael, Durango, and Thomas, Vinita, Okla.; one brother, Lowell Rudolph, Scott City; and two grandchildren.

A celebration of life service was held  Jan. 9 at Sunshine Gardens West, Durango. 

Memorials may be sent to the Mercy Home Health and Hospice, 1 Mercado Street, Suite 270, Durango, Colo. 81301.