The Life of FLORENCE JOHANNA FOX
Florence Fox, 84, died Sunday, March 15, 2009 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston following a brief illness. The funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2009 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave. in Des Moines. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation with family present will be 6 – 8 p.m. Thursday, at the funeral home. Florence was born December 10, 1924 to Johanna and Frederick Middendorf in Templeton, Iowa. She worked for the Des Moines School System as a food service manager. Florence loved to travel, especially to see her children and grandchildren in California, Colorado, and Florida. Her brother in Ames remained a devoted companion. She was an avid antique collector, very creative, and an expert seamstress. She was known as “Foxy” to many, and not because of her last name, but because she was a snappy dresser. She loved to prowl flea markets, garage sales, and shopping centers for that special find. She was loved for her infectious laugh and wonderful sense of humor. Her friendships were lifelong and devoted, and meant the world to her. Fond memories of Florence will include teaching in a one room school with a pot bellied stove, her involvement in Camp Fire Girls, and working for the Des Moines School pre-school program. Florence is survived by her daughters, Mary (Ed) Spotts, Carolyn (Jim) Smith and Nancy (Webb) Fox-Shaffer; brother, Jim Middendorf; and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert J. Fox; her parents; and her brother, Donald Middendorf. Every night Florence counted her many blessings. We, the family, know that now she will be counting her many devoted and loving friends, as well as her brother Jim as the greatest blessings in her life. Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Hospice in Johnston in loving memory of Florence.