Florence E. (Schaefer) Schmitz, 98, of Adams, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, May 6, 2018, at Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin, Minnesota.

Florence Emily (Schaefer) Schmitz was born on Dec. 31, 1919, in Adams, the daughter of Joseph Schaefer and Elizabeth (Mueller) Schaefer. Florence was baptized, confirmed and married at Sacred Heart Church in Adams. She attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Adams High School in 1937. She went to the School of Cosmetology in Mankato, Minnesota. After graduating, she worked at Bob’s Beauty Shop. She was married to Herman Schmitz when he returned from service in World War II.  They were married on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, 1945.

With their passion towards owning a nursery, the opportunity arose in 1959 when Herman and Florence bought Halver’s Greenhouse in Adams, renaming it Herman’s Gardens. Together they built a thriving floral shop and nursery averaging three to four weddings each weekend throughout Mower County. After Herman’s death in 1971, Florence continued as owner, operator and designer of Herman’s Gardens. She attended many floral seminars in Minneapolis, which kept her abreast of the floral trends. Having provided the wedding flowers for so many brides over the years, it was fun for her to greet couples while dining out or shopping who would remember her and say, “You did my wedding flowers!” Florence closed the business and retired in 2005.

In addition to being an independent business owner, she belonged to the Rosary Society, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Adams Health Care Auxiliary, the Changing Seasons Garden Club, bridge club, the Sacred Heart bible study group and the Sacred Heart prayer chain. Florence prayed the rosary daily, dedicating one day a week to each of her seven children. She loved decorating for the changing holidays, gardening, floral arranging, traveling, and entertaining, especially for Thanksgiving.

Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Schmitz; her son, James Patrick Schmitz; her brothers, Paul, Fred, Herb and Benno Schaefer; sister, Marc Perrin; and daughter-in-law, Carol Schmitz.

She is survived by her children, Sue (Jim) Schmitz, Adams, and her family, Michael Schmitz, Rochester, Minnesota, Heather Schmitz and her children, Simon, Owen, Amelia and Theo Smith, Rose Creek, Minnesota, Sarah Honeywell and her children, Oliver Ellis, Huxley and Webster Honeywell, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Isaac Schmitz, Hayfield, Minnesota, David and Julie Schmitz and their children, Mark Schmitz and Karen Viskupic and their son, Gus Schmitz, Boise, Idaho, Charlie Schmitz, Adams, and his children, Riley, Winona, Minnesota, and Peyton Schmitz, Adams,  Hailey and Dave Woodfill and their children, Hudson and Linden Woodfill, Minneapolis, and Grace and Josh Leverington and their children, Eliza and Milo Leverington, Madison, Minnesota, Bob Schmitz, Jordan, Minnesota, Roger Schmitz, Minneapolis, Tom Schmitz, Preston, Minnesota, Mary and Mike Albrecht, Belle Plaine, Minnesota, and their daughter Hannah Schmitz, St. Paul, Minnesota, and Ann Viveros and Robert Reed, Minneapolis; her siblings, Vernon Schaefer, Roseville, Minnesota, Doreen Schaefer, Adams, Norbert and Linda Schaefer, Montgomery, Alabama, Rita and Dave Sheedy, Elko-New Market, Minnesota, Conrad and Judy Schaefer, Austin, Minnesota, Roger Schaefer, Albert Lea, Minnesota, Elizabeth and Harlan Smith, Park Forest, Illinois, and Sandy Schaefer, Albert Lea; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  Blessed be her memory.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Swaminatha Pothireddy officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Adams Funeral Home and from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the Adams Funeral Home. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery.