Florence Charlotte FRYE

FRYE, OTTO

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/29/2006 at 18:49:12

Copyright
Mason City Globe Gazette
24 March 2000

DOWS - Florence Charlotte Frye was born on April 12, 1903, the daughter of Emile George and Ida Mary (Otto) Frye, the last of five girls and the seventh of 10 children. She was a lifelong resident of Wright County. She was born on her family farm belonging to her maternal grandparents and they then moved to the Frye farm near Wall Lake and then to Dows. Throughout her life, she was noted for her devotion to numerous community causes, both private and public. In her youth and later, she was called to tend to the sick in their homes. She was self sacrificial by nature. Florence remained unmarried throughout her 96 years of life, but to many who loved her, it was apparent that above all, she valued connection. The town of Dows was of primary importance to her most all her life. She promoted the Dows Welcome Center. She was a longtime member of the Dows Historical Society and an honored member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She gave generously to support Dows. Among her contributions were numerous scholarships to high school students, given in memory of her brother, Emile. She shared a business partnership with Emile in an electric business in Dows, and she recently gave the building to the city of Dows to be used as a museum. She was a member of the Dows Methodist Church.

Florence passed away at 6:50 a.m. on Wednesday (March 22, 2000) at the Clarion Care Center, where she had been since suffering a fall at her home in Dows. She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Grace, Ella, Byrd, Nelle, Harry, Ray, Emile and an infant, and also five nieces and nephews. She is survived by her brother, Fred G. Frye, of University Park; 12 nieces and nephews; and 53 great-nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Dows Methodist Church in Dows, with the Rev. James Turner officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Willim Funeral Home in Clarion. Memorials may be designated to the Dows Historical Society and/or the Dows Methodist Church. Willim Funeral Home