Florence E. Gause

Florence E. Gause, 95, of Rockford, Ohio, died at 2:25 a.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at her home. She was born on June 21, 1921 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Harley and Minnie (Myers) Shively. She was married on October 15, 1944 to Lloyd Gause and became a dairy farm wife, of which she was very proud. They celebrated over 72 years of marriage, spending every day together on the farm. 

She was a 1940 graduate of Geneva-Adams County High School. She obtained her first job at the Geneva License Bureau, and later worked at the Geneva Milling Company as a secretary. She then went on to work at the Decatur Casting Company, where she was the production secretary. 

She was a member of the Chattanooga United Methodist Church. In 1947, she became a member of the Chattanooga Grange, and then the Unity Grange, and was also a member of the Pomona Grange in Mercer County—she was very active in the grange for 69 years. In 1980, she helped establish the charter membership of the Mercer County Genealogy Society. She spent a lot of time going through the red tape of establishing this organization. She loved her work with genealogy. Working tirelessly, she delved through records and published numerous books and records.  Before computers, she and the other members went to the cemeteries, brushing the tombstones and recording the deaths using the old flour, chalk, and paper method to record the births and deaths of so many countians. Whole cemeteries were done this way by her and her colleagues, culminating in publishing entire books of the records.  She was so very talented at crocheting, and enjoyed her hobby so very much.  She loved making crocheted blankets for every member of her family, and everyone cherished her hand-made gifts.

She is survived by her husband of Rockford, Ohio; son, David (Lois) Gause of Rockford, Ohio; two daughters, Vickie (Tim) Bollenbacher; and Marjorie (Jay) Ellis, both of Rockford, Ohio; 11 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 11 step-great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and three nieces and two nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son; sister and brother-in-law; Imogene (Clarence) Amstutz; and one great-grandchild.

Visitation will be three hours prior to the 1:00 p.m. funeral service on Friday, March 17 at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, Ohio. Officiating will be Pastor Tom Brunstrup. Burial will be at East Bethel Cemetery outside of Rockford, Ohio.

Memorials may be made to the Chattanooga United Methodist Church or to the Mercer County Genealogy Society. 

Arrangements provided by Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, Ohio. Online condolences may be made at ketchamripley.com.