Florentine Catherine Pelster Vanderheiden departed this life on August 17, 2008 surrounded by her children, Ann, Joe, Tini, Marie, and her Son-in-Law David , her sister Sally Meis and Father Dan Andrews. After her diagnosis of lung cancer, Florentine was patient, ready waiting for her Lord to take her into his arms. She did so, peacefully in the arms of her family. Florentine was born in Raeville, the 5th of seven children born to Joseph and Anna Uphoff Pelster, on January 24, 1923. She grew to womanhood on the family farm near Raeville, NE. She graduated from Elgin Public School with Normal Training in May 1940. She taught at District 75, District 3 in Boone County and Wylie School in Antelope County.

On June 6, 1944, she married Lambert H. Vanderheiden. They had four children Ann, Joseph, Florentine (Tini) and Marie. Florentine was very active in the Elgin and St. Boniface communities. She was a member of Christian Mothers. She was a firm believer in Catholic Education for her children and grandchildren. She was a lifetime member of the Elgin Garden Club and the Elgin Women’s Club. Florentine and her husband Bert hosted the Elgin Commercial Club Ladies’ Night at Flobert Springs for a many years continuing to the present day. She was a member of the Board of Directors of Antelope Memorial Hospital for 25 years. Florentine provided floral arrangements for St. Boniface Church for over 60 years as she enjoyed both her floral and vegetable gardens her whole life. Florentine was a skilled seamstress and donated quilts for St. Boniface Thanksgiving Bazaar and for Pope John Endowment. She enjoyed quilting with the St. Boniface Quilters. Her favorite holiday was the 4th of July when she especially enjoyed a good scotch and a well-done steak.

Florentine was preceded in death by her loving husband of 53 years, Lambert and her parents, Joseph and Anna Pelster; her grandson Raymond Vanderheiden; her brothers Cyril and Joseph Pelster and her sister Marie Moser. She is survived by her children, Ann and David Munson of Silver Spring, MD; Joe and June Vanderheiden of Jacksonville, FL; Florentine (Tini) VanOehlertz and Keith Oehlertz of Lincoln and Marie Vanderheiden and Jim Corman of Arvada, CO; grandchildren Kristel and Joelle Vanderheiden, Will and Elizabeth Oehlertz and Andrew and Anna Corman; and sisters Margaret Schrage, Sally Meis, and Anne Borer and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation at Huffman-Levander Funeral Home in Elgin will be from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Rosary will be held Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 7:30 p.m., preceded by a 6:30 p.m. visitation at St. Boniface Church. Mark and Julie Dwyer provided accompaniment. Her life will be celebrated at a Requiem Mass at St. Boniface Church on Thursday, August 21, 2008. Rosie Schueths, organist and the St. Boniface Choir, will provide the musical inspiration. Internment will be at St. Boniface Cemetery following Mass.

In lieu of flowers, Florentine requested that donations be made to: St. Boniface Catholic Church and School, Pope John Endowment Fund, or
Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (Johns Hopkins Hospital), 100 N. Charles Street, Suite 234; Baltimore, MD 21201.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.huffmanlevander.com.