Florence Bongard

Florence Bongard, age 92, of Pine City died Tuesday afternoon (November 29, 2011) at Suite Living in North Branch, MN. Florence was born on May 20, 1919 to Gerhard and Rosa Bongard. Florence grew up in Rush City where she attended school. After graduating high school, she attended a year of college before starting a life-long career as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone. Her job eventually led her to Pine City where she made her home. The Christian faith was a core part of Florence’s life. She was baptized and confirmed at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rush City. She served as the financial secretary at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Pine City for many years. Later she became an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Pine City. As part of her faith walk she sponsored several children through Christian Children’s Fund and was very generous in many ways, most known only to her. Florence was an artist with a needle. As a young woman she made dolls and stuffed animals. Her home was filled with those she had made as well as purchased. The walls of her home were adorned with her cross-stitched works Florence is survived by her sister Dorothy Stenberg of St. Paul, Nephew Marlin Stenberg of Center City, good friends Henry of North Branch, Mark and Jane Carlson of Pine City. She is preceded in death by her parents Gerhard and Rosa Bongard. Reverend Glen Kleppe will officate at funeral services; 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 5, 2011 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Pine City. A time of visitation and reviewal is scheduled for one hour prior to the funeral at church. Immediately following the funeral a time of fellowship and lunch is planned in the church dining area. The interment in the First Lutheran Cemetery in Rush City will occur after the luncheon. Memorials are preferred to the Lutheran Hour Ministries at 660 Mason Ridge Center Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63141; Zion Lutheran Church in Pine City; or St. Jude's Hospice. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service ~ Swanson Chapel * Pine City