Florence E. Freed, 96, a lifelong resident of Mower County, died Thursday July 14, 2011, at Prairie Manor Care Center, Blooming Prairie, Minn. She had been a resident there after living at the Cedars of Austin for several years.

Florence was born Aug. 16, 1914, to Albert and Nathalie (Swenson) Larson on a farm near Rose Creek, Minn. She was baptized and confirmed at Hoflanda Swedish Lutheran Church, Rose Creek. She attended Rose Creek Schools and played on the girls basketball team. After graduation, she attended Winona State Teachers College, completing her certification in 1934. For seven years, she taught country school grades K-8 in the villages of Waltham and Sargeant, Minn.

On June 21, 1941, Florence was united in marriage to Francis freed of Sargeant, at the YWCA in Austin. To this union was born one daughter, Mary. They lived on the family farm, working side by side until retirement in 1980, then moving to a home in Brownsdale.

Florence was the last member of Hoflanda Swedish Lutheran Church, which closed in 1937. She kept it alive through the years, being the secretary/treasurer and being instrumental in the formation of the cemetery association. In 1941, she became a member of the Sargeant United Brethern Church. She was a faithful servant as a Sunday school teacher, boys and girls fellowship teacher, and served on many committees in the church womens’ mission group for almost 60 years. She was a member of the Waltham Mothers’ Club and Brownsdale Study Club. She enjoyed baking bread, pies and rosettes, cooking, crocheting, gardening and family trips.

She was a kind and loving wife, mother and friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew her for her gentleness and warm smile.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Warren Larson and son-in-law, Daniel Rhodes.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Rhodes of Austin; nephew, Dr. Michael Freed of Hastings, Minn.; great-niece, Kirsten Freed of Portland, Ore.; great-nephew, Sanders Freed of Olympia, Wash., and cousins.

Blessed be her memory.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, July 16, at First Congregational Church-UCC with Rev. Elizabeth Endicott officiating. Visitation will be at the church for one hour before the service. Interment will be in Hoflanda Swedish cemetery, Rose Creek. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Congregational Church in Austin.