LADY Flo Bjelke-Petersen has died at the age of 97.

The former Queensland senator and widow of controversial former Queensland premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen died at 3.46pm on Wednesday at Lutheran Services Orana Aged Care Service in Kingaroy, where she had lived since August 2014.

media_camera Flo Bjelke-Petersen, 97, pictured recently in Kingaroy. Picture: Lachie Millard

The service said she had died after a short illness, and was surrounded by her family and loved ones including her sister Margaret Gilmour.

“Until recently she actively participated as organist for church within the Orana community and other aged care facilities in Kingaroy,” the service said in a statement.

“She will be sorely missed by her family many across Queensland and beyond.”

Funeral arrangements were yet to be advised.

media_camera Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen with Sir Joh in 1996.

Recently appointed LNP leader and Member for Nanango (the modern version of Sir Joh’s former seat of Barambah) Deb Frecklington tweeted her condolences.

Ms Frecklington described Lady Bjelke- Petersen as an “outstanding and much-loved Queenslander”.

“She led a very full and successful life and was so-loved for her kindness, her genuine concern and care for others, her common sense and down-to-earth approach to life,” she said in a statement.

“Rest-in-peace Lady Flo. You were a rock of our community and will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered.

“I will always cherish your support and guidance.”

Rest In Peace Lady Flo. You were a rock of our community and will be sadly missed & lovingly remembered. I will always cherish your support & guidance. — Deb Frecklington MP (@DebFrecklington) December 20, 2017

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk paid tribute to Lady Bjelke- Petersen, saying she brought her passions for cooking and faith “to the fore” during her husband’s 19-year reign and 40-year service as an MP.

“They were a loving couple and a formidable political pairing,” she said in a statement.

Federal Maranoa MP David Littleproud, whose electorate encompasses Kingaroy, said he wouldn’t be where he was today were it not for the Bjelke-Petersens.

“My family and I joined the Nationals because of Sir Joh and Lady Flo’s dedication to Queensland,” he said in a statement.

“Their values, belief in reward for effort and commitment to community personified what being a Queenslander truly means.”

media_camera Lady Flo with Sir Joh at the family property Bethany in 1998 media_camera The couple celebrate Sir Joh’s 80th birthday with pumpkin scones in 1991.

Mr Littleproud said the state had lost a trailblazer, but Lady Bjelke-Petersen was a strong force who would never be forgotten.

As well as a loyal and constant support for Sir Joh as premier, Lady Bjelke- Petersen was a politician in her own right, elected to the senate in 1981 and served in Canberra until her retirement at age 72 in 1993.

She became deputy National Party leader in the upper house and an acting chair of committees and was regarded as an effective vote-gatherer in Queensland.

Lady Flo’s death came weeks after she told The Courier-Mail’s Qweekend magazine of her last wish that her late husband’s reputation be restored, in an interview marking the 30th anniversary of his overthrow amid the Fitzgerald inquiry.

Downfall of Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen Downfall of Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen

Sir Joh predeceased her in 2005.

Lady Flo was elected as a Queensland senator in 1981, serving until 1993 — six years after her husband was ousted as premier.

The couple’s son John has had several unsuccessful tilts at politics, for the LNP and the now-defunct Palmer United Party.