11/20/2003
A Celebration of Life of Florence E. (Stewart) Kissinger, 92, of Knoxville, who died Sunday,
Nov. 20, 2003, at the Kavanagh House in West Des Moines,..was held Wednesday, Dec.
3, at the First United Methodist Church. Rev. Raymond Moore and Pastor Peter J.
Peterson officiated at the services. Geoffrey Shultz was a pianist.
Interment was at the Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville. Casketbearers were Todd Caulkins,
John Gotta, Steve Gotta, Tim Gotta, Damon Hall, Tony Hall, and Jim Woods. Honorary
bearers were granddaughters Barb, Diana, Jennifer, Joan, Judy, Julie, Kathy, Lisa,
Lori, Nancy, Nicole, Patty, Terri, and Valerie.
The Order of Eastern Star #85 held a memorial service Tuesday evening.
Florence was born on Aug. 21, 1911, in Kirksville, Mo., to Addison and Maude (Reighart)
Stewart. She moved to Knoxville in 1917 and graduated from Knoxville High School
in 1928.
She married Earl Agar on Jan. 14, 1934. To this union was born a daughter,
Linda. Florence married Foster A. Kissinger on Oct. 10, 1942, and to this union were
born three daughters: Nancy, Sally, and Susan.
Florence was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Knoxville for 81 years,
where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and was a member of Home Builder's
class and Rachel Circle.
She was a member of Knoxville Chapter #85, Order of Eastern
Star since 1929. She served as Worthy Matron of the local chapter three times and
as Grand Organist in 1965. She was a member of NARFE, Knoxville Senior Center Board
, and the Heritage Foundation Board. She had received many community service awards.
Florence worked at different Knoxville businesses, including most offices in the
Marion County courthouse. She led a very active retired life and enjoyed traveling.
Music was a large part of her life and she was a wonderful pianist.
Her greatest
joy in life was her family and she spent as much time as possible with them. She will be remembered Most for her strong faith in God, her love of life, and her compassion
and caring for others.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Foster; a half-brother, Lawrence
Stewart; two half-sisters, Stella Miller and Verdene Buckles; and a grandson, Tom
Woods.
She is survived by four daughters and their husbands.