Florence Moderow

Florence Moderow, age 94, of Aurora, died Monday night, June 11, 2001 at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Central City. Rev. Brad Rick will officiate. Interment will be in the Aurora Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 P.M., Thursday at Higby Mortuary in Aurora. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.

OBITUARY: FLORENCE MODEROW

Florence Marie Moderow, the daughter of Emil and Elizabeth (Dethloff) Meerkatz, was born on the family farm in the northeast section of Hamilton County, Nebraska on June 27, 1906 and died in Aurora, Nebraska on June 11, 2001, at the age of 94 years, only 16 days from turning 95.

She grew up on a farm on the southwest corner of Polk County. Florence attended Immanuel Parochial School through 8th grade. She worked as a domestic until she married.

Florence was united in marriage to Benjamin August Moderow on July 13, 1930 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Polk, Nebraska. Ben and Florence operated a variety store in Scribner, Nebraska before moving to Aurora in 1934 to operate Moderow Variety on the northwest side of the square. Florence worked in an exclusive Women's wear shop in Santa Ana, California. She helped operate Moderow's Furniture in Aurora, then Moderow Hardware on the north side of the square. Ben passed away on October 1, 1972. Florence worked at Monet's Women's wear until her retirement. Florence dearly loved to grow flowers.

Florence was preceded in death by her husband and son, James.

Florence is survived by her three children, William Moderow of Aurora, Mary Frey and her husband Glen of DeSoto, Kansas and Tom Moderow and his wife Jeannie of Omaha; daughter-in-law, Jean Moderow of Arcadia, California; brother, Gerhart Meerkatz of Boise, Idaho; 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.