Florene Beatha Schulz was born May 6, 1924, to Emil and Beatha (Hamann) Schulz in rural Holloway, MN. She grew up and attended school in the Holloway area.Florene cherished family time and sharing in family celebrations and activities. She loved flowers and shopping. She especially enjoyed collecting any type of item related to Red Cardinals, angels, and butterflies, and adorned her home with stuffed animals and decorations fitting with the current season. Florene's favorite holiday time was Christmas and the traditional gathering of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She often traveled for extended visits with family and shared in family vacations to Florida and recently to California. All who knew Florene admired her fortitude, enjoyed her humor, and were blessed by her unconditional love. Florene Beatha Schulz married Leonard Paul Matthies on April 6, 1942, and they made their first home in the Holloway area. Leonard's work took the family to the communities of Appleton, MN, Albee, SD, Harwood, MN, Crookston, MN, and finally, Pipestone, MN. While residing in Crookston, MN, Florene worked in the Crookston Red Owl Grocery as a meat wrapper. After moving to Pipestone, MN, in 1968, she was the Bakery Manager at Juba's Grocery until her retirement in 1987. Most recently, Florene resided at Sheyenne Crossings Assisted Living in West Fargo, ND. Florene passed surrounded by loving family on Thursday, July 14, 2011, at Sanford Palliative care in Fargo, ND. She attained the age of 87 years, 2 months, and 8 days.She is survived by her six children: Ruby (Joseph) Zima of Fenton, MI, Vivian (Robert) Pearson of West Fargo, ND, Joyce(Bill) Smith of Storm Lake, IA, Mavis (Scott) Leverson of Elysian, MN, Paul (Cherie) Matthies of Worthington, MN ,Pamela ( Joe Bergen) Matthies of Watertown, SD; ten grandchildren: Brenda Pepple, Brian Pearson, Bobbi Jo Pearson, Joseph Zima, Angela Yurk, Jesse Smith, Philip Smith, Benjamin Smith, Grant Leverson, Tanya Beseler; nine great-grandchildren: Philip, Alyssa, and Ashlyn Yurk, Christopher Pepple, Hope, Alecia and Kolby Pearson, Lannon Smith, and Claire Beseler; brother Merlin (Ruby) Schulz of Holloway, MN.She is preceded in death by her parents , brothers Albin and Dennis Schulz, and sister Della (Roy) Giese, Leonard Matthies, and various other relatives.
