Florence Marie Botine peacefully passed away from her physical presence and joined her loving husband on April 8, 2019.
Florence was born on July 13, 1932, on a farm northwest of Randall, Iowa to parents Arthur and Myrtie (Teig) Lueck. She grew up on farms in Hamilton and Wright Counties without indoor plumbing and had to use a "chamber pot" if she had to "go" in the middle of the night. Florence attended country schools until the sixth grade and ultimately graduated from Clarion High School in 1950. Her childhood memories consisted of playing many games, such as Hide & Seek, Annie, Annie, Over, and Ring Around the Rosie. She also recalled having hit her brother, Lowell, with a paint bucket once when he refused to play "house" with her. Florence was quiet and reserved, however, she could still get her point across.
Florence met her loving husband, Norman, at a dance in Spencer, Iowa as a result of Norman's purchase of a cow. It seems that the seller of the cow had attended these dances in the past and invited Norman to tag along and Florence and several friends just happened to be in attendance on February 5, 1962. Norman asked Florence to dance, and the rest, as they say, is history. They were married on November 17, 1962 and settled on a farm in Pocahontas County. Florence was a loving spouse and mother to her two children, Gary and Cindy. She looked after the house, keeping everyone fed, (including farmhands and her son's friends,) and was especially known for having pancakes and homemade syrup every day! She was also responsible for making sure that the household financials were intact and was actually responsible for bringing the first computer into the household around 1980 for record-keeping.
Religion was an important part of Florence's life. She served as the church secretary for 25 years before retiring. Florence served in many roles within the church, including being the first female deaconess. She was involved in Circle, Sunday School teacher and Superintendent, was active in the Women of the ELCA, serving in many leadership roles in that organization.
Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Norman; her parents, Arthur and Myrtie Lueck, as well as siblings, Marilyn, Lowell and Ardeth. She is survived by one sister, Yvonne Stevens, son, Gary Botine (Heather), daughter Cindy Arnold (Bruce) and grandchildren Spencer and Sadie Botine and Brittany and Christopher Arnold.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church, Pocahontas Hospital Foundation or the Mary Greeley Medical Center Foundation.