Florence May McDowell, 98, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Friday, May 11, 2018, at Ebenezer Ridges Care Center in Burnsville, Minnesota.

Florence was born Jan. 28, 1920, in Mora, Minnesota, to Henry and Carrie (Lyke) Long. She moved to Preston, Minnesota, with her parents in 1929 and graduated from Preston High School in 1939. She worked for Northwestern Telephone as an operator.

On Sept. 4, 1941, she married Harold McDowell of Preston. She moved to California, Alaska and then to Columbus, Georgia, during World War II to be with her husband. Florence and Harold returned to Preston after the war and resided there until 1959. They moved to Austin, where she became a homemaker and spent time raising their three sons.

Florence remained in Austin after Harold’s passing in 1998. She stayed in her home until June 2013. She then sold her home and moved to an assisted living facility in Burnsville to be near her son. She made many new friends and enjoyed multiple outings at Arbors at Ridges. In 2016, Florence moved to Ebenezer Ridges Care Center in Burnsville.

Florence enjoyed family gatherings, traveling, and reading hundreds of books. She loved the summer sun and would spend many hours watching and listening to the many birds around her.

She is now on her final traveling adventure to Heaven to be with her Lord and family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold McDowell; son, Charles; parents; three brothers; and three sisters.

Florence is survived by her two sons, Allen McDowell, Austin, and Paul (Nancy) McDowell, Eagan, Minnesota; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 18, at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary with the Rev. Dale Christiansen officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service on Friday. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery.