Florence L. Maloney, 91

Published 9:39 am Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Florence L. Maloney, 91, of Austin, Minnesota, died Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, at her home.

Florence L. Maloney, 91

Florence Leone Bray was born Aug. 13, 1924, in Rochester, Minnesota, to John and Clara (Hanenberger) Bray. She attended school in Austin and worked at the Rose Room as a waitress, and later at the Woolworth’s lunch counter – she was the “Hoagie Lady.” On Dec. 31, 1940, Florence married Gerald “Jerry” Maloney in Osage, Iowa. The couple raised two daughters, Patricia and Colleen. A member of Eastern Star and First United Methodist Church, Florence became a charter member of Fellowship Methodist Church, returning to First Methodist after Fellowship closed. In her leisure time, she enjoyed golf, bowling, playing cards and doing puzzles. Florence once had a hole-in-one at Ramsey Golf Club. She and Jerry enjoyed square dancing for several years; Jerry was a caller and Florence helped teach others. At one time, at Colleen’s request, they invited the neighbor kids to their basement to learn square dancing.

Florence is survived by her daughters: Patricia Schaefer (Allen Horning) of Austin, Colleen (Malcolm) Prinzing of Albert Lea; her sister Marlys Farris, and step-sister Rochelle Jensen, both of Austin; her grandchildren: Susan Hartson of Austin, Lee Hartson of Cannon Falls, Neal Hartson of Austin, Lisa (Wayne) Thompson of Albert Lea, Tanya (Scott) Hemmingson of Alden; 11 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren; and her dog Abbey, which she called “Poopsie.”

She was preceded in death by her parents John Bray and Clara Haugland; step-father Andrew Haugland; her husband Gerald Maloney in 1995; her son-in-law Benno Schaefer; her brothers: Beryl Bray and Robert (Mina) Bray; step-brothers Donald, Albert, Floyd and Sherman Haugland; step-sister Janice Duncan; and her companion of several years Milton Stout.

The Maloney family is eternally grateful for the loving care that Florence received from her caregivers, including Nancy Crosby, Carol Quam, Carol Hanf, Teresa Bailey, Tammy Flicek, Janell Jacobs, and especially her granddaughter Susan Hartson.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, at First United Methodist Church in Austin with Rev. Dennis Tamke officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.