Florence Lynch

Tuesday, March 29, 2022 8:11 pm

Florence Lynch, age 99 of Decorah, died on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 23, 2022, at the First Lutheran Church, 604 W Broadway St. in Decorah with Rev. Michael Wilker presiding.  Burial will be in the Phelps Cemetery.Visitation will be from 10 a.m., until the time of service at the church on Saturday morning. Memorials may be directed to Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice, the First Lutheran Church in Decorah or Aase Haugen Nursing Home.

Florence was born in Nordness, Iowa, Dec. 14, 1922, where her parents, Charlie and Eliza Nelson, operated a general merchandise store.  She was baptized and confirmed at the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church.  She was one of nine children, graduating from Decorah High School in 1941 as salutatorian of her class.During World War II she held a civil service job with the Office of Price Administration, where she was in charge of tire rationing for Winneshiek County. In 1943 she transferred to Annapolis, Maryland, becoming Purchasing Agent for the Annapolis Yacht Yard. On June 7, 1944, she was united in marriage to Thomas C. Lynch, in Annapolis, Maryland, the same day that Tom had graduated from the United States Naval Academy. To this union were born three children, Lawrence, Timothy and Julie.

During her working days in Annapolis, she became very interested in the history of the State of Maryland and Annapolis. It was that historical interest that started her on a lifetime interest in antiques. While living in the “Paine House” at 301 Upper Broadway in Decorah, she spent much time in refurbishing the house and refinishing walnut furniture purchased at auctions from the Decorah area. After attending antique seminars, she eventually became a dealer and appraiser of antiques. She had a special interest in the Norwegian American Museum and was a Fellow Lifetime Member. Florence was a member of First Lutheran Church, Coterie Club, P.E.O. Sisterhood, and Oneota Golf & Country Club, and was active in many civic organizations in her younger days, especially Decorah Schools and the hospital auxiliary. Florence enjoyed golfing and playing bridge. She took great pride in the fact she had a hole-in-one in a golf match at the Oneota Golf Course.

She is survived by her son, Timothy (Mary Kay) Lynch; four grandchildren, Patrick Lynch, Christopher (Danyce) Letkewicz, Casey (Keegan) Letkewicz Davenport and Courtney (Mark) Herwicz; four great-grandchildren, Lily and Jack Letkewicz and Calvin and Theo Davenport; and son-in-law Larry (Kathy) Letkewicz; sister-in-law, Norma Lynch and several nieces and nephews.

Florence was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Thomas; two of her children, Lawrence Lynch and Julie Lynch Letkewicz; her brother, Charles Nelson, and her seven sisters: Clarice Gilbertson, Gladys Hickens, Agnes Spilde, Evelyn Haugen, Marion Fritz, Dolly Rugland and Beatrice Paulson.