Remembering our Past: Florence Forsberg – A budding Broadway career cut short by murder

The Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts is just over a month away.

The annual event is celebrating its 84th year in 2026 and has seen thousands of performers compete in various categories.

One of the region’s most renowed singers is Florence Forsberg.

Florence was born in Fort Frances to Nelson and Velma Falk.

When her mother died two years later of tuberculosis, Florence was allowed to live with her grandmother before adopted by her aunt and uncle, Elvi and Bert Forsberg.

Her interest in song started as an early age.

Fort Frances Fire Chief R. E. Readman, remembers hearing the younster sing to his wife through the vents when the Forsberg’s were visiting friends above his apartment.

One of her first public appearances was for the Fort Frances Kiwanis Club, that would assist her in developing her titles.

Norman Johnson, a past president and in charges of organizing local recitals, would provide Florence with books of opera arias to learn.

Florence start her schooling in Fort Frances, but was soon sent to live in Winnipeg for musical and voice training at the Bornoff School of Music in her later years.

During one trip to the Manitoba capital with her mother, Florence auditioned for the CBC which hosted several radio variety shows.

Members of the audition board were so impressed with her voice that she was signed to sing on the program Woodhouse and Hawkins, making her radio debut in March 1941.

The appearance would earn her a spot on a national program that highlighted Swedish-Canadians known as “Canadian All” where she would sing in Swedish.

Other radio appearances would follow.

Florence continued to compete in musical festivals, at home and in Manitoba, regularly winning in the operatic category.

At the age of 18, Florence performed at a lodge convention in Boston that her adopted-father was attending.

That got her an invite to sing on a Boston radio station.

A wealthy Boston couple heard the broadcast and offered to sponsor her singing career if she remained in the city.

Florence accepted and enrolled at the New England Conservatory of Music for one year before being admitted to the famed Julliard Institute of Music in New York where an interest in opera work was developed.

In 1947, Florence successfully auditioned to the Opera Theatre, furthering a budding career.

Her first professional performance came with the Lemonade Opera Company of New York where she was cast as Grethel in an operatic version of “Hansel and Grethel.”

In 1951, Florence won the lead as Alice in a musical version of “Alice in Wonderland,” touring the Atlantic seaboard.

“She is an attractive blonde miss who gives a straightforward natural performance as Alice,” said critic Ranaid Savery after attending a performance in Connecticut.

“Hers is no easy assignment, for she is on the stage constantly, but she carries it off in top form, investing the character with believability and charm.”

Following the performance, Florence was hired to entertain on cruise ships during the winters of 1950 and 1951.

She also made several television appearances in the United States, performing on programs such as The George Jessel Show and The Colgate Comedy Hour hosted by Eddie Cantor.

In the fall of 1952, she accepted an invite to take part in a U.S.O tour of Europe, performing in the historic music halls in Vienna, Paris, Scotland, Iceland and England.

The following spring, Florence was made an understudy for the second top role in the Broadway Musical “Wonderful Town.”

The musical would go on to win five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

On July 16th, 1953 at about 7:30 a.m., New York City Police were called to home of Lester Johnson, finding the Korean War Veteran and candy salesperson lying dead and a rifle under his lifeless body.

A note was also discovered that read, “I either killed or contributed to the death of an actress named Flo.”

That led police to Florence’s apartment located two miles away where officers discovered the 25-year-old’s lifeless nude and battered body.

Autopsies revealed she had been stabbed 14 times in the neck and body, while Johnson died from a single gun shot to the chest.

Police offered no motive for the murder-suicide, but told press the two had “done of drinking.”

Another note found in Florence’s apartment also offered some clues.

“I’m sorry it had to happen this way, but I could not take it with all the liquor and affection.”

The note was signed “Les.”

Florence and Johnson had known each other for about five years, initially introduced by Gustave Kvalden, an attorney and family friend of the Forsbergs.

A roommate of Florence’s told the News York press that Johnson would call frequently, but she expressed no interest in him, wanting to focus on her Broadway career.

“She was never abrupt with him,” said Victoria Crandall.

“She was too kind to be abrupt with anybody, but she let him know definitely a number of times that she didn’t care to go out with him.”

Her fellow performers expressed shock with her death but indicated that Florence was not one to meet anyone after the show.

“It’s terrible, terrible,” said Rosalind Russell, the star of “Wonderland Town.”

“I only knew her slightly, but I took an interest in her and gave her some advice on grooming. She had talent.”

News of Florence’s death made headlines across Canada and the United States.

Charles Renaud of CKFI, known today as 93.1 The Border, was one of the first in Fort Frances to learn of the tragedy, receiving a newswire teletype from the Associated Press.

Police had failed to notify the Forsberg family.

Renaud decided to withhold the news, first calling Mayor Joseph Livingstone who passed on the tragic news to the Bert Forsberg.

When the news finally broke locally, residents also expressed shock.

“I can’t believe it,” one resident said.

“Who would want to kill her? She was the town’s angel.”

Livingstone was lost for words, but was critical of the New York Police for not notifying the family, calling its actions cruel and heartless.

Bert Forsberg had previously planned to travel New York to watch his adopted-daughter perform but now made the trip to pick up her belongings and try to learn more about her death.

While in New York, Bert Forsberg learned from the apartment building’s owner that Johnson had obtain a pass key and entered Florence’s apartment just after she retired for the night, contradicting police reports of how the two came to meet that fateful night.

He was spared the task of identifying the remains with Kvalden having done that on his behalf.

Florence’s body was entrusted to the New York Funeral Service which made arrangements to ship it to International Falls and have it brought across the border to Fort Frances.

Funeral services would take place on July 21st.

More than 400 people overflowed the Knox United Church.

The first three rows of pews seated relatives, digataries and close family friends.

A special section was reserved for members of the Kiwanis Club who referred to Florence as “our sweetheart.”

“Florence’s voice is still,” Rev. G.A. McMillan told the gathering.

“Yet, the church has to speak. . . The community must register affirmation for this young girl whom we all knew and loved.”

“She really did not belong to Broadway, but Broadway wanted that bubbling effervescent and singing quality that was hers,” added Rev. H.G. Tolton.

“She had reached the top. She undoubtedly would have gone to the very top. She lived only for that, she in turn would have been truce to her mother and father and her friends back home.”

Her body was interned at the Fort Frances ceremony.

Shortly after the service, a memorial fund in honour of Florence and her adopted-mother Elvi was set up, with the funds going toward the purchase of a new concert grand piano for use at the Rainy River District Festival and other events.

Two contributions came from New York.

The Forsbergs had become strong supporters of the Festival from its inception.

Elvi passed away after suffering a heart attack while attending the festival in 1951.

An award in her name is still presented at the Festival to the most promising young vocalist who is 16 years old and under.