FLORENCE MARIE REWINKEL, 91 years of Tekamah, Nebraska, formerly of Lyons, Nebraska passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at the Oakland Mercy Hospital in Oakland, Nebraska.

Florence was born to Einar and Marie (Gustavson) Carlson, at home in rural Oakland on October 31, 1917.  She was the second of four daughters.  She attended grade school at District 43.  She was confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Oakland on May 3, 1931.  After completing 8th grade, she worked for a few local families and eventually moved to Omaha, where she kept house for a doctor and his family.  After a few years, she and a friend moved to Denver, Colorado and worked in a factory for the war effort.  She returned to Nebraska and married Roland Rewinkel of Lyons on March 4, 1944, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church parsonage. They lived on the family farm south of Lyons.  Two children were born to this union: a son, Dale and a daughter, Mary.

Florence was a long-time member of the Better Homes and Garden Extension Club, and a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tekamah. She taught Sunday School for many years, and volunteered her time wherever needed.  She enjoyed bowling, traveling, fishing, gardening, but most of all her grandchildren and great-grand children.  Since she was only able to complete eighth-grade, she took great pride in the fact that all of her grandchildren graduated from college.

Florence and Roland spent a lot of time playing cards and entertaining their friends.  The coffeepot was always on, and there was always something freshly baked in the freezer.  She made terrific rye bread and cinnamon rolls.  Grandma always had lots of cookies in her jar.

After retiring from the farm, they moved to Tekamah to be closer to their grandchildren and their activities.  In her later years, she enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles until her eyesight failed her.  In 2007, after declining health, they moved to Oakland Heights.  This Spring they celebrated 65 years of marriage.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and sister, Edith Whitman. 

Survivors include her husband, Roland; son, Dale (Connie) of Sidney, Iowa; daughter Mary (Al) Kjeldgaard of Tekamah; sisters, Alice Peterson and Ramona Alder of Oakland; four grandchildren, Melissa Rewinkel, Holly Kjeldgaard, Tye Kjelddgaard and Erin O’Mara; four great grandchildren, Kya and Shea Kjeldgaard, Wyatt and Quinn O’Mara.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Friday May 8, 2009, 10:30 a.m. at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tekamah.

VISITATION: Thursday, 1 - 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 5 - 7 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Tekamah. Visitation will also be held Friday at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: St. John's Cemetery in rural Lyons, Nebraska.

MEMORIALS: Tekamah Fire and Rescue

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

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