Florence Gunderson Berry, 12 Sep. 1918 - 30 Mar. 2006

BERRY, GUNDERSON, HOFMASTER, BUSHER

Posted By: Netha M Meyer (email)
Date: 4/4/2006 at 12:46:52

Florence Anna Gunderson Berry, of 6317 Greenbriar Lane SW, died Thursday, March 30, 2006, peacefully surrounded by her devoted family. Services: 10 a.m. Monday, Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Turner West Funeral Home and after 9 a.m. Monday at the church.
Surviving to honor her memory are her daughter, Marilyn (Lyle) Busher; her son, Russ (Diane) Gunderson; stepchildren Bill (Ana) Berry, Linda Berry and Mark Levin, all of Cedar Rapids; her special family, Father Robert Busher of Davenport, Sister Joseph Marie Busher of Sacred Heart and Eileen Kiefer of Cedar Rapids.

Also surviving are 18 grandchildren, Steven (Sabrina) Busher of Nevada City, Calif., Deanna (Dan) Baty, Craig (Andrea) Gunderson, Sara and Jessica Levin, Monica and Ric Berry, Steven Gunderson, Debbie Hiles, Donna Waggoner, Debbie Waggoner, Doug (Tina) Waggoner and Dawn (Bob) Jellison, all of Cedar Rapids; seven great-grandchildren, Nicole and Harrison Baty, David, Alixandra and Maria Busher, and Hallie and Ryan Gunderson; as well as numerous stepgreat-grandchildren.

She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Velma Hofmaster of Cedar Rapids and Marie Hofmaster of Albuquerque, N.M.; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Florence was born Sept. 12, 1918, in Williamsburg on the family farm, the daughter of Charles and Anna Hofmaster. Florence graduated from high school in Williamsburg. She was baptized at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Williamsburg; she was their first Sunday school teacher and taught for many years. Florence moved to Cedar Rapids in 1945 and worked for Collins Radio. She worked in the restaurant business for 40 years and was known by many people at the Flamingo as "Flo."

She met the Love of her life and married Charles Berry in 1984. They traveled to every state in the U.S. over the next 20 years. They spent their winters in Meza, Ariz. They met many great friends on their cruises to Europe, Canada and Alaska. They enjoyed hosting weekly card parties and entertaining their friends.

Florence was an avid reader and loved to cook for her family. She had a very strong faith and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church for 61 years.

Florence was a faithful wife, mother, grandmother and friend and will always be known for her hard work ethic and wonderful spirit. She loved her Sundays with family and will be missed by all her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Charles Berry; her parents, Charles and Ana Hofmaster; three brothers, Harold, Irvin and Charles Hofmaster; two sisters, Ella Hofmaster and Bernice Nesselhauf; and former husband Earl Gunderson.

We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to all the friends, family and neighbors for their prayers, support and love. A special thank you to Pastor Knoll and Pastor Offt of Trinity Lutheran Church, Carrol Goldfish and Hospice of Mercy.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran and Hospice of Mercy.

Cedar Rapids Gazette, 2 April 2006, Edition: F, Page: 4B, Record Number: 2118530