Florence Terry

Published 12:00 am Friday, March 5, 2010

Florence E. Terry, 98, of Rochester, formerly of Austin, died Wednesday March 3, 2010 at Madonna Towers Memory Care Unit in Rochester, Minn.
Florence was born Oct. 6, 1911 in Freeborn County, Minn., the daughter of William H. and Isabel M. (Guy) Taylor. She attended the Dist. #31 country school and graduated from Austin High School. Florence was married to Elmer Addison (Add) Terry on Nov. 27, 1932 at St. Paul, Minn. The Terrys lived in the Twin Cities area until 1944 when they moved to the Dodge Center/Kasson area and began farming. In 1950 they moved to the Faribault area and then on to Blooming Prairie in 1970. Besides working on the farm with Add, Florence began a wedding cake decorating business and continued the cake business with the subsequent moves. Following Add’s death in 1975, Florence moved to Austin, where, in her 70’s, she attend business classes at Riverland College and worked for the local Social Security office. She moved back to Kasson in the early 90s to be closer to her family.
Florence was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church and had been active with 4-H programs and the DFL Party. Among her many pastimes, Florence was an accomplished sewer, enjoyed baking and canning, crossword puzzles, crocheting and playing cards. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends.
Florence was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Elmer A. (Add) Terry; step-children, Shirley Triggs and Sidney Terry; two granddaughters; a great-granddaughter; sisters, Clara Nielsen, Mabel Kolpin, Mildred Hays; and brother Robert Taylor.
Florence is survived by daughter and son-in-law: Virginia and Walter Van Allen, Rochester, Minn.; grandchildren, Catherine (James) Huntoon, Charles (Georgia) Van Allen, Sara Van Allen, Michael (Mary Kay) Van Allen, Gordon (Patricia) Banes, Susan Hayden, Beverly (Ken) Ebert, Mary Lou Miklas; 18 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Austin with the Rev. Dr. Andrew M. Lindahl officiating. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery, Austin. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour before the service on Saturday. 
Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

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