Florence Hughes

Visitation

Thursday, May 10, 2007, after 5:00 pmOhde Funeral HomeBayard, Iowa

Funeral ServiceFriday, May 11, 200710:30 AMChurch of ChristBayard, Iowa

Pastor Bob Rogers, Officiating

Music

The Lords Prayer?

How Great Thou Art?

Larry Dowd, Vocalist

Amazing Grace?

Beckey Keaneey, Accompanist

Casketbearers

Ryan SorensenNathan Sorensen

Steven LarsonTony Tatman

Randy HughesJeff HughesCody Hughes

Interment

Highland Township Cemetery

South of Bayard, Iowa

   Florence Cozette, daughter of Ray Arthur and Edna May (Jones) Lewis, was born March 9, 1913, on the Lewis Century Farm in Highland Township, Guthrie County, south of Bayard, Iowa. She grew up on the Lewis farm, attending Bayard Consolidated Schools and graduating with the Class of 1930. She was proud of her Lewis heritage. Her great-grandfather Jonathan Lewis homesteaded the land now known as Living History Farms near Des Moines.

   On December 20, 1936, Florence married her high school sweetheart, Idwal Robert Hughes, at Guthrie Center. They established their family home in Bayard, where they lived together for 61 years. Idwal and Florence were the parents of three children: Larry Lee, Karen Kay and Lana Jean.

   A dedicated homemaker, Florence enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, sewing and crocheting. She always made birthdays and holidays memorable family events. Later in life, Florence attended the Institute of Gerontology, University of Iowa, to become one of the first licensed nursing home administrators in Iowa. From 1966 to 1978, she served as the administrator of the Bayard Nursing & Rehab Center.

   A talented musician, Florence was accomplished in piano, organ and trumpet. She was a noted singer, singing for church and community functions and for funerals. For 50 years, Florence also served as a substitute Bayard school bus driver for Idwal and Larry.

   Florence was an 18-year breast cancer survivor and a 10-year stroke survivor, living her last years with courage, grace and dignity. In August of 2002, Florence became a resident of the nursing home where she had served as administrator. Then in March of 2007, she became a resident of Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids (due to the closing of Bayard Nursing & Rehab) where she passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, at the age of 94 years, 1 month and 29 days.

   Preceding Florence in death are her parents; husband Idwal Hughes, who died on their 61st wedding anniversary in 1997; daughter Karen Kay Hughes, who died of encephalitis at age 3, in 1946; brother Cleo Lewis in 2004 and his wife Gladys; and nephew Dean Lewis in 1972.

   She is survived by her son Larry (LeeAnn) Hughes of Scranton; daughter Lana Jean Hughes (Andy) Sorensen of Urbandale; six grandchildren: Randy (Lynnette) Hughes; Jeffrey (Sheila) Hughes; Karen Kay Sorensen (Steven) Larson; Kristen Sorensen (Tony) Tatman; Ryan Sorensen and Nathan Sorensen; seven great-grandchildren: Courtney Hughes, Cody Hughes, Kyle Hughes, Allexa Larson, Connor Larson and twins Jacob and Tyler Tatman; nephew Neil (Marcia) Lewis of Bayard and many other relatives and friends.

  A loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Florence shared her love, talents and wisdom through her wit, optimism, generosity and kindness. She rarely missed a sporting event or fine arts performance of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always one to offer a kind, compassionate word or deed to her family and friends. 

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS MAY BE MADE

IN LOVING MEMORY OF FLORENCE TO THE

Bayard Church of Christ