Florence Mary Throndson
February 4, 1929 ~ May 17, 2011
Florence M. Throndson, age 82, of New Hampton, IA passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton, surrounded by her loving family. Florence Mary Schwickerath was born February 4, 1929 to Herman and Catherine (Dockendorf) Schwickerath on the family farm in North Washington, IA. She attended Lawler and New Hampton schools. On November 20, 1947 Florence was united in marriage to Irvin Throndson at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Hampton. The couple resided in New Hampton all of their married life. In addition to raising 15 children, she opened her heart and home to many others, young and old. She was an inspiration and perfect example of God’s love for her children and grandchildren. Florence willingly gave of her time and talents to her church and community. She enjoyed crocheting, baking, volunteering, cross word puzzles and playing cards; her special joy being her grandchildren. She was a member and past president of Catholic Daughters of America and Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. As an active member of St. Joseph’s Center she served as Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Choir Member, Parish Council and School board. Florence is survived by her loving husband, Irvin; their children, Lynn (Jane) Throndson of New Hampton, Larry (Darlene) Throndson of New Hampton, Chris Throndson of Fredericksburg, Allen Throndson of Riverdale, UT, Shirley (Ed) Hoffman of Ionia, Betty Throndson (Judy Bachman) of Phoenix, AZ, Tim (Joann) Throndson of Raleigh, NC, Paul (Linda) Throndson of Corinth, TX, Annette (Bill) Webb of Hampton, VA, Theresa Williams of Waco, TX, Pamela (Jeff) Novotny of Shell Rock, Angela (Gerard) Glaser of New Hampton and Jennifer (Rodney) Knutson of New Hampton; her brothers Ray Schwickerath of Fredericksburg and Mark (Theresa) Schwickerath of New Hampton; her sisters, Margie (Palmer) Rurup of Humboldt, IA, Sister Lucia Schwickerath of St. Paul, MN and Patty Stricke of Rochester, MN; sister-in-law, Dolly Schwickerath of New Hampton; her 38 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Julie; son, Michael, five grandchildren, Jeremy, Danielle, Justin, Katie, Cora and brother, Virgil Schwickerath.
Memorials:
In lieu of flowers, Florence’s preferred charity is the Sisters of St. Benedict of St. Paul Monastery. Their website can be found at www.stpaulsmonastery.org. For further contact information please contact 651-777-8181 or email: info@stpaulmonastery.org.
Cemetery:
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, New Hampton.
Visitation:
Visitation for Florence will be at 4:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 4:30p.m., and concludes with a Scripture Service at 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 20, 2011 at St. Joseph’s Gathering Space in New Hampton. Visitation will continue at the Gathering Space one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
Service:
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30am on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at Holy Family Parish-St. Joseph’s Center in New Hampton with Father Mark Osterhaus celebrating the mass.
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Dear Throndson Family,
My sincere sympathy to all of you at this sad time in your lives. I will forever think of Florence as one of the strongest and most faith-filled women I have ever known. I very much appreciated her support of me when I was the junior high teacher of her three youngest daughters:-) May God “walk with you” in your grief as you mourn your loss.
We are so sorry to hear of Florence’s passing. Grandpa Ray and I talked about how if there is anyone who is deserving to be in Heaven with the Lord, it is Florence. I will always remember her kind, gentle spirit and how she reminded me so much of Grandma Katie. Tonight as I look at the croched name doley she made for us on our wedding, I send prayers to you and your loved ones for your loss. I’m sure the angels above are welcoming her to Heaven with open arms. May the Lord bring you peace and comfort as you remember the wonderful times of having her in your lives. God bless to you in this difficult time.
Dear Florence Family,
My sympathy goes out to the entire family due to the loss of
Florence . She touched many hearts and will missed by she was a wonderful mother, grandmother,greatmother, and a dear friend to everybody.
Brenda Parks, Gloria Parks
Extremely saddened by the news of Flo’s passing. I have so many memories of her that will forever be remembered. She was an amazing lady and will be missed by all those that she touched. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Throndson family.
Flo was a wonderful person. She always seemed to have faith in me even when nobody else probably did!! When I was younger and not quite as smart as I have become 🙂 she told me many many times speed kills and if your not careful……..yeah and I guess it caught up with me LOL but she was right there and it always meant alot to me! You are ALL in my thoughts and prayers!! May God give you strength!!
Florence was such a great lady. She will be missed.
God has truly called one of His most perfect angels home!
May our Father graciously receive this His saint who touched others she did not know by raising the wonderful family she did. Mark Long, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
My condolensces to the entire Throndson family. You have gone through some real struggles and sadness in your lives, but with the faith and love that has been instilled in you through your mother, grandmother, you will get through these difficult days ahead. She was a true angel and will be certainly welcomed into heaven.
As I volunteered at the hospital yesterday, I saw the love and compassion of family members while with her in those last hours. Florence was blessed to have such a beautiful family. Cherish your memories and keep them close to your heart.
My deepest sympathies to the Throndson Family. I only got to meet Irv and Flo one time during a visit to Arizona. What a great time! I got to hang out with them one weekend when Betty couldn’t be there. We played cards and I can tell you they were cut-throat competitive but also gracious winners. Also I specifically remembered getting blamed for eating all of the sweet pickles (the one’s that Betty hoards – even though I didn’t) …I now know where the children (at least the ones that I have been lucky enough to meet so far) got their great sense of humor. These are some great memories of Flo that I have from just one weekend, I know that you are all lucky enough to have many, many, many more. I hope those memories will live on and be a comfort to you all.
My heart goes out to all of you. Which there are many. I will alway cherish the dollie she made for me with my families surname and I can’t smell bread baking without thinking of her. I worked with Pammie at State Farm for years in Rochester. Pammie- I love you. God will give you strength to carry on. Love, Jodi
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Throndson family! Florence was a remarkable lady and will truly be missed by all who knew her! And as stated earlier- if anyone is deserving to join the angels in heaven- it definately is her!!! And I ‘m sure family members that have passed, were there- welcoming her with open arms! May God comfort you all at this very sad time and may you all cherish and hold all those wonderful memories you have of her, close to your hearts forever. God bless you all and may he hold you all extra close through all of this!
Our sincere sympathy and condolences to Florence’s family in this time of sadness. May God grant you comfort and strength to endure another loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Joe and Sharon Haskovec
Our sympathy to all of Florence’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. May God be with you to give you all strength. I know you have a wonderful network of family and friends to help you get through. I worked with Florence at St. Joe’s–what a wonderful person! I know how much she will be missed.
Our prayers go out to you, Carolyn, Craig and Katie
Our thoughts to the whole Throndson Family.
She was one of the greatest ladies we’ve known!
Paul and the Throndson family – Please accept my deepest sympathy on your mom’s passing. Although I didn’t know her, my mom has told me how wonderful your mom had been to her, especially following my dad’s death. You are in my thoughts.
Theresa,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. My prayers are with you and your family.
Blessings,
Debi
Throndson family,
My heartfelt sympathy to you all. So many loving memories will be shared, embrace them all and know so many people love you and will be praying. God is our strength. Love Chris.
Throndson Family, Florence’s brothers & sisters,
Merle & I extend our deepest sympathy to all of the
family of Florence. She was truly a saint on earth and
is definitely an angel in heaven. Remember all of the
joyous times you had together as a family and cherish
all of those memories. May God bless all of you.
Throndson family~My thoughts and prayers are with you all ~~ may you find comfort in all the wonderful memories given. God Bless~~ Staci Dahl and girls
To the familyof Florence, You are in our thoughts and prayers. We didn’t have quite as many children in our family as you did, but Florence was someone I looked up to, to help me raise our children. She was sooo wonderful. She will also be in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Ed and Sandy Shekleton
To the whole Throndson family my sympathy in the loss of Florence. Now that I think of it, I believe that I have known Florence for almost my whole life. During this time she has popped in and out of my life here and there whether it was at your home, at school in the store but somehow she was always there growing up and even in recent years. I always enjoyed coming to your house and riding horses with Jennifer. It was always busy to say the least at your house and always wondering how she took care of all those children! Florence was surely blessed with a wonderful family. God bless you all, she will be missed by many.
We are so saddened by the death of “Flo”. She was such a strong woman, a great example of the caring needed for us all. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. If there is anything we can do, please let us know.
Kris Meyer and family
You all must be proud of your mother/grandmother/sister/wife. She was a true inspiration to all she touched. I know God was happy to usher her into His Kingdom for a job well-done here on earth. Blessings to you all.
Your family has our sympathy. Hopefully she will tell our beautiful daughter Amanda, that we love her and miss her so much. Florence will be missed greatly.
Florence holds a special place in my childhood memories. As a little girl my mom would take us there before the sun was up so she could put herself through school in Cedar Falls. Florence was so good to us! I remember her homemade buiscuts with cinnamon and sugar on top after nap time. she has a special little jar that had the cinnamon and sugar already mixed together. I also remember playing outside and petting the horses. she was an important part of our life during that season. You know there was a big celebration when she entered the kingdom. 🙂 Love love love to all of you.
Florence was a caring and giving lady. She would never turn away any child. She was a god sent when I needed a babysitter for my girls. She taught them to eat cottage cheese on their mashed potatoes and to this day they still do it. She will be missed. Our deepest condelences to all the family, she was a great lady (one of a kind).
Lori Hanson
My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Throndson family. Florence was an amazing women that will be missed greatly, but her words of wisdom will live on in everyone she encountered.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God comfort you in this time of sorrow. We will forever cherish our memories of the times we spent with Florence.
Shirley, Ed & Family: Our Deepest Sympathy to you
and the entire Throndson Family.
So sorry for your loss Florence, she will be missed by so many. I will always remember coming to your house and being greeted, with open arms and a warm heart. She was a truely remarkable woman WE are all so lucky to have known her in anyway. We all will miss her and just remember she is in all of our hearts. Thinking of you and your family.
Thank you Floreence for all the time , love and work you gave to your family and to your church family. You gave us specials smiles of greetings and was always so helpful to all. May you rest in oeace,
Throndson Family and Friends:
Paul my deepest condolences you and your family are in my prayers and thougths.
Blessed are those that mourn,for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4
She is in the presence’s of the Lord
To all the Throndson family- What a beautiful lady, wife and mother. You all have been so lucky to have had her by your side . Please know we keep you all in our prayers. Duane & Pat Lynch
To the Throndson family: I cannot think of anyone on earth that would be more welcomed in heaven than Florence. She was truly a role model to look up to and I am sure that you all will miss her deeply but I also know that she taught you to also rejoice that she is now in a better place! Heaven’s Gates flung open and the trumpets sounded when she arrived! Enjoy your memories….you have our sympathy and a new angel watching over you.
We are so sorry to hear about Florence. Seems like she lived a full life. We are sure your family has many wonderful memories of her. At times like this the Bible comforts me so much. Jesus said in John 5:28&29 there would come a time when those in the memorial tombs would hear his voice and come out. This would also be at a time when Revelation 21:3&4 says there will be no more tears, pain or death. This would all happen when God’s Kingdom comes, the same kingdom that Jesus taught us to pray for in the Lord’s Prayer. What a wonderful prospect for Florence and all those in the memorial tombs now. We express our deepest sympathy. We hope you find comfort in this time of loss.
We offer our sympathy to all of you hurting from her passing on. What a marvelous woman she was!!!
Wow, losing my mom 9 years ago was one of the hardest times in my life, but I have many memories!
NOW, as Larry, said, we will celebrate her life!
A few tidbits.
I moved to NH in 1978 and met her amazing mother, Katie Schwickerath. I saw Katie working at the rectory when I stopped to go to meetings, pick up supplies, etc. (I worked with 6+ priests at the time and 11 concelebrated at Tom and my wedding). (Lord, Have Mercy!) I’m still in therapy from such trauma!!!!! Kidding!
ANYWAY, Florence reminded me so much of her mother and I told her that. She said “THANK YOU!” and she meant it.
She also was a back-up childcare provider when I worked part-time. My kids are between 21–28 now. I remember smelling the fresh bread, seeing the little ones on the floor watching Iowa Public Television, and smiling as she was working in her kitchen. What an incredible woman!
Dear Irv & family,
I am so sorry to hear about your beloved Wife and wonderful Mother. You have my deepest sympathy.
Many a Friday nights, Mom and Dad would be at your house playing cards. They loved to play cards. I am sure Florence, Mom & Dad are in Heaven having a friendly game.
You are in my thoughts & prayers May God Bless You to give you peace and comfort during this time
Regards,
Audrey Conner
Florencee was a lady of many great qualities, my most memorable were the times we visited her and Irv with Christina. She sure was a great lady and will be missed by many, all my love from the south.
I am very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family.
Just wanted to let all of you know your in our prayers.
My sympathy to the family of Florence…may God grant you strength and peace in the days to come. Harold
So many great memories of Flo when at the house with Jennifer. She always made you feel at home with her great cookies and her simple presence. She was quite the lady and I’m proud to have known her. You are all in my thoughts and prayers Throndson family.
Throndson Family,
You have our sympthay. Florence was one of a kind. She will be sadly missed by many. Keep your fond memories close to your hearts. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Bob and Cyndy Weiglein
Tim, Joann, & Family–We are so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing–we extend to you all our deepest sympathy–you are in our thoughts–by her obituary she will definitely be an angel in heaven–take care
Steve & Rosalie
To all of the Throndson Family….you have all of my sympathies! Flo was truly an angel on earth.
Keep memories of her close to your hearts!!!
God Bless all of you
Dick Galligan
To the Throndson family-My deepest thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Florence was a very kind and loving person-we can honestly say-we are missing another angel down here on earth. She is in Gods loving arms as I type this and know she is finally at home. May God give you strength-and cherish all the great memories,stories,laughter and tears.
Dear family,
Sorry to hear of Florence’s passing. She was a wonderful lady. We will mail Sister Lucia a memorial in Florence’s memory.
Sincerely,
Florian & Lois Langreck
I am Leo and Barbara Schwickerath Gebel’s daughter
Irvin and Paul,
My prayers are with Flo and your family these coming days.
God Bless You.
Just found out through Dan. I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember Florence for her kindness and infinite patience. Roger and Darla Throndson
Our thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Our thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Flo was always smiling and happy every time we visited. She inspired so many as a strong Christian and Mother. May the family find peace for their hearts. God bless.
Conley
Bob and my symthay goes to all of your special family. I can honestly say I loved Florence with all my heart. She was one of the most beautiful , kind and loving, faith-filled persons I have ever known. When I was young in grade school, Florence took care of me and my brothers and sisters when my mom and dad were both working in Charles City and the Oliver Corp. I remember the TECs I worked on with her and remember her inspiring talks given there. The “At Home Retreat” she and Marge TeKippe directed was such a very special inspiring and growth time in my life. I am so grateful that Florence has been such a very special part of my life, and I know she is now sharing in the fullness of God’s love for her. She was truly an angel.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Florence’s family and friends. Florence and Irv opened their home to us the past several years during the Davis Rally. We will always remember the warm welcome we received each year, the delicious home baked apple pie, breakfasts, card games and hospitality. God called Florence home to be with Him. God’s Peace to you.