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Florence Goldsmith

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Florence Goldsmith, 103, of Storm Lake died Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake.

Funeral services will take place Saturday, June 15, at 11 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Florence Edith Goldsmith was born Sept. 1, 1920, on the family farm in Ida County, the daughter of Fred and Anna (Gebers) Beyer.

She attended a one room country school through eighth grade. Florence graduated from Galva High School in 1937 and continued her education at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake. She taught in Ida County schools for 10 years. The last two years, she taught third grade at Galva schools.

Florence was united in marriage to Marvin Goldsmith at St. John Lutheran Church in Galva, where Florence had been baptized and confirmed. They made their home in Storm Lake. 

Florence was employed at Iowa Electric Light and Power (now Alliant Energy) for 23 years. 

Florence was a faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church. She served as treasurer of Ladies Aid and Christian Fellowship Society. With neighborhood ladies, she enjoyed playing cards and drinking coffee.

Marvin and Florence were blessed with 63 years of marriage. They enjoyed traveling the USA spending retirement winters in St. Petersburg, Fla., and Pharr, Texas. She also had memories of the Pinocole card club with barbecues in the summer. Florence helped with the St. John Lutheran Church food stand in Sunset Park on the 4th of July celebration for many years. Marvin and Florence enjoyed dancing to the music of Lawrence Welk at the Cobblestone Inn in Storm Lake. They actually saw Lawrence Welk in person in Florida. He always played in Florida on his birthday in March, attracting many tour buses lining up to see him. Last but not least, the most important was visits with family.

Florence was preceded in death by her parents; husband Marvin in 2011; infant sister Leona; sister Norma Freese; and brothers, Earl (Lorraine) Beyer and Robert (Betty) Beyer; nephew Bob Ogier; as well as many friends and extended families.

Florence is survived by nephews and nieces: Harold (Jeanne) Freese, Dr. Wayne (Karen) Freese, Paul (Deby) Freese, Dr. James (Jeanette) Beyer, Connie Ogier, Barbara Bean, Steven Hebron and Carol (Keith) Olsen.