Frances May Florine

  Frances May (Powell) Florine breathed her last on October 10, 2019 in Cherokee, Iowa. She was born May 30, 1923 in Sutherland, Iowa to Theodore and Julia (Sweeney) Powell, and lived almost all of her life in and around the community. She was baptized, had her first communion and was confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sutherland, IA. She worked as a telephone operator in Sutherland and as an employee at the Sutherland Creamery. Frances moved to Detroit, MI during WWII to work at Briggs Manufacturing, a war factory, joining women who were fundamental in the war effort.  She married Robert N. Florine on September 5, 1945 at Sacred Heart in Sutherland. After marriage the couple farmed several different farms in Cherokee and O'Brien counties before purchasing a farm east of Sutherland in 1972. In addition to raising 6 children and running a farming operation with her husband, Frances was a member and past president of St. Ann's Guild, a catechism teacher at Sacred Heart, a St. Ann’s Guild Circle chairperson, a member of Cheerful Workers, a member of KYN (Know Your Neighbor) card club, and a Daffodil Lady for the American Cancer Society. Frances moved into an apartment in Sutherland in 1993 when Robert passed away and maintained an active role in her community.  She traveled a good deal with her daughter Julie.  She was the last surviving graduate of the class of 1942 from SHS.

     Her family was one of the biggest joys of her life. Frances was preceded in death by her parents  Julia (Sweeney) and Theodore Powell, husband Robert N. Florine, brother John Powell and his wife Reba, brother Mike Powell, sister Margaret Gale and her husband Guy,  son James ‘Ted’ Florine, daughter Janet (Florine) Ducommun, son-in-law Forest Ducommun, grandson Nick Florine, granddaughter Ronni Jean Ducommun, and great grandson Hunnar Florine. 

     Frances is survived by her children Mary Jo (Jim) Brennan of Jackson, MN, Ed Florine of Cherokee, IA, Nancy (Tom) Richards of Nevada, IA, Julia Florine of Sutherland, IA, and her daughter-in-law Sherry Cooper of Bucklin, MO. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and numerous beloved extended family members.

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