Florence Anna (Schaff) Mathern

POLSON — Florence Anna (Schaff) Mathern, 79, of Polson went to the Lord peacefully on Oct. 11, 2005, at Evergreen Nursing Home.

She was born to Thomas and Pauline Schaff on Jan. 12, 1926, in Mandan, N.D. The family moved to Ryegate where Florence's dad farmed for many years. Upon her graduation from Ryegate High School, Florence moved to Billings.

While in Billings she met George Andrew Mathern and they married in June 1948. They moved to Barber where they ranched until the fall of 1956 and had three children while there. From Barber they moved to Ronan, bought a home and had one more child.

Besides helping her husband run the ranch, Florence had many different jobs. She worked at Woolworth's, in the potato fields, was a teacher's aide, a school cook. She also worked at Sears, the Post Office, Western Bee, cherry warehouses, helped her son in his flower shop and ran cattle with Ed Appelt.

Florence was very active and enjoyed a lot of different passions. One was her love of gardens, whether it be vegetables or flowers. Her yards in North Crow and Polson were always thriving with beautiful flowers, bushes and trees. Another hobby was bowling — she loved it and was very proud of all the trophies around her house. She was also secretary of the bowling league for several years and took pride in her work.

One of her top passions, though, was playing the accordion. She was very talented and enjoyed playing and entertaining dancers at the Northwest Accordion Assn. dances throughout Western Montana and in Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada.

Preceding her in death were her husband George, her parents, sister Frances, brother Clement, and long time friend Ed Appelt.

Survivors include four children, Sharon (Bill) VanBuskirk of Bryant, Wisc., and her children, Christy, Nicole and William; Michael (Barbara) Mathern of Everett, Wash., and his children, Andrea, Jerilynn, Raeanna, Rosalynn, Jake and William; Diane (Richard) Prongua of Hot Springs and her children, Amanda, Jessica, Tiffany and Zachary; Lorraine (Jim) French of Emblem, Wyo., and her children Carlissa and Charlie. Florence leaves behind 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

After cremation at Shrider's Mortuary of Ronan, the family is planning a service next summer.