Florence Owens Muller 1928-2011

MULLER KUTIN OWENS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 7/1/2011 at 21:31:42

Sioux City Journal
27 March 2011

SIOUX CITY -- Florence Owens Muller, 83, of Sioux City passed away Friday, March, 25, 2011, at Touchstone Living Center in Sioux City.

Memorial services will be at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berger Northside Chapel. Online condolences may be sent www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Florence was born March 10, 1928, in Traer, Iowa, the middle daughter of Omer and Celia (Kutin) Owens. She attended Traer schools. Active in band and drama, Flo was valedictorian of the class of 1946. She lived and worked in Chicago in the summer of 1946, then attended Iowa State Teacher's College (now UNI) and graduated in 1949 with a degree in music education. Florence was an accomplished saxophone and oboe player. She played in the Tri-City Symphony in Davenport, Iowa.

Her first teaching job was in Bellevue, Iowa, where she met Robert "Bob" Muller. They married on June 4, 1950.

In 1951, they moved to Churdan, Iowa. Florence taught music and Bob taught history and coached. Their daughter, Elizabeth, was born in November 1955. After a move to Sulpher Springs, Iowa, the couple returned to Churdan. Flo taught music at Paton and Churdan schools, and Bob was the superintendent of schools. Their second daughter, Janet, was born in November 1965.

The couple moved to Audubon, Iowa, in 1966. Flo directed the children's choir at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, was active in circle, several bridge groups and TTT. Flo sang and played autoharp at area nursing homes and church events.

In 1974, they moved to Sergeant Bluff. She was a member of TTT, Welcome Wagon, Quota Club, Siouxland Singers, Sioux City Chamber of Commerce, and Morningside Lutheran Circle and choir. Flo operated Flo's Vending, but still found time to be active in theater in Sergeant Bluff both as an actress and directing the pit band. Bob was superintendent of Sergeant Bluff-Luton Schools. After Bob's retirement they moved to Sioux City. Flo continued to be involved in service and business organizations. Bob died in 1988. Flo moved to Richland Hills, Texas in 1999, where she lived with Willie, her close high school friend. She moved back to Iowa in 2009.

Survivors include two daughters, Elizabeth Stansbury of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Janet (Chris) Rosener of Sioux City; 10 grandchildren, Chad, Chelsea, Cristin and Craig (Angie) Stansbury, Alan, Megan, Kayla, Nicole, Brooke and Ava Rosener; sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Robert Ilten; brother-in-law, Walt Rogers; several aunts, nieces and nephews; close friend and care-giver, Willie (Alma Jean) Willis; and many, many friends.

Flo was preceded in death by her husband; parents; grandparents; cousins; in-laws; and several nieces and nephews.