Florence Mary (Downing) Persoon was born on Wednesday, October 20, 1920 in Lincoln County to William and Octavia (Claeys) Downing. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith, and attended country school.
On June 10, 1947, Florence was united in marriage to Nicholas Persoon at St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Taunton. They made their home on a farm north of Canby until moving to a farm near Taunton in 1951. Florence was a housewife and mother to three children, Marian, Shirley, and Carol. After raising her children, Florence went to work as a seamstress at Weiner Memorial Hospital in Marshall and also worked at the Holy Redeemer Catholic School cooking and serving in the cafeteria and cleaning classrooms. She also volunteered at the local food shelf and thrift store, was a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, and was a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxillary.
In her younger years, Florence and her sisters were in a band called The Downing Sisters. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening, picnicking, camping, square dancing, and playing games with her family at Morningside Heights. She especially loved to spend time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many friends.
On Sunday, July 17, 2016, Florence passed away at Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall at the age of 95 years, 8 months, and 25 days.
She is survived by her 3 children, Marian (Leonard) Louwagie of Marshall, Shirley (Roger) Verly of Marshall, and Carol (Ken) Jeremiason of Porter; 11 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Leona Noyes, and Dolores (George) Noyes; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Nicholas, her parents, and sister, Lucille Nuytten.
Blessed be her memory.
