Florence Rose (Gries) Rexing, 95, of Dale passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at the family farm where she had spent decades with her husband Cletus Rexing and their children.
Florence was born November 22, 1924, to Theresa (Schmitt) and Peter Gries in St. Wendel. She married Cletus Rexing on June 1, 1946, in St. Wendel. Cletus preceded her in death on October 23, 2015.
She is survived by four sons, Lawrence (Jemma) of Lafayette, Steven (Ellen) of Dale, Gerald (Gloria) of Cumming GA, and Erwin (Jane) of Rock Hill, SC; and one son-in-law, John Payne of Dale; three daughters, Joan (Charles) Effinger of Plainfield, Brenda Rexing, Indianapolis and Connie Rexing of Anderson; one brother: Alvin (Rita) Gries of Poseyville; and three sisters-in-law, Mary (Herman) Rexing, Anita Marie (Joe) Rexing, and Anna Mae (Wiliam) Gries of Evansville; 16 grandchildren, and 31 great-grandchildren.
She was preceeded in death by her husband of 69 years, Cletus, and two daughters: Marilyn Payne and Barbara Rexing; six brothers: Albert, John, Joseph, Adam, Sylvester and William Gries; five sisters, Kathyrn (Clement Knapp), Margaret (Edward) Knapp, Lorine Gries, Rose (Vincent) Adler and Mary (Gilbert) Steckler.
She was a member of Mary Help of Christians (St. Francis of Assisi) since 1958, a member of the Ladies Sodality and she quilted for many years. She was also a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society. Florence and Cletus won the Simon Brute award and Mother Teresa Service award.
She was an avid gardener, wonderful cook, and loved being with family. Before marriage, she worked for many families along with riveting airplane wings during WWII, a real-life Rosie the Riveter. She and her husband farmed for many years and later in life, she was a cook in several restaurants and at David Turnham Elementary School in Dale.
Services will be Thursday, November 5, at 11 a.m. CST in Mary Help Of Christians Church, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Due to COVID 19 restrictions visitation will be a private. The service will be streamed live on U-Tube.
The family would like to especially thank her neighbors Bob and Wilma Harper for looking out for her these past few years. Also, they would like to greatly thank Lori Balbach and Elaine Burress for being her wonderful helpers and companions. Finally, they would like to thank Kindred Hospice for their assistance these last few weeks.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Dale or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org). Online condolences may be shared at www.becherfuneralhome.com.
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Services were held Thursday, November 5, in Mary Help Of Christians Church, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, with burial following in the church cemetery.
The family would like to especially thank her neighbors Bob and Wilma Harper for looking out for her these past few years. Also, they would like to greatly thank Lori Balbach and Elaine Burress for being her wonderful helpers and companions. Finally, they would like to thank Kindred Hospice for their assistance these last few weeks.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Dale or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org). Online condolences may be shared at www.becherfuneralhome.com.
