Florence Kalenda's Obituary
Florence Sturm Kalenda
Florence Sturm Kalenda, 78, of Hallsville, passed away peacefully at home on March 28, 2013 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. She was born February 10, 1935 in the Pecan community near Holland, TX to Herman and Flora Steglich Sturm. She attended rural Pecan school in the lower grades, graduating from Bartlett High School in Bartlett, TX in 1953. Following graduation, she completed cosmetology school in Austin, TX and began her career at Johnson's Beauty Salon in Temple, TX and eventually purchased the business. On March 9, 1958, she married Joe Kalenda at St. John Lutheran Church in Bartlett, TX, a union that lasted 55 wonderful years. In June of 1959, she and Joe moved backed to Austin where he completed his Engineering education. After his graduation, they moved to Longview, then Hallsville, when Joe took a job with Texas Eastman. She was a full-time mom and homemaker, raising four daughters, and later became a second mother to many others while their parents worked. She will be forever remembered for her warm smile and gracious manner. She was also known for her wonderful cooking and baking, which she shared with so many of her neighbors and businesses in the Hallsville community, especially during the holiday seasons. Her home was always open to her children's friends where their fondest memories were of the aroma of warm food that greeted them. She loved to garden and raise flowers among her many other activities. She was an active member of the Hallsville school's PTA, receiving a lifetime membership for her dedication. She was also an active and lifelong member of First Lutheran Church in Longview where she was a Sunday school teacher and was involved with the ladies quilter's program.
She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Marvin Sturm and grandson Dylan Rice. She is survived by her husband Joe of Hallsville, daughters Carol Kalenda of Wylie, TX, Terry Rice and husband Drew and their children Cameron and Tyler Rice of Wylie, Karen Mosher and her husband Steve of Allen, TX, Lori Jaynes and husband Mike and their children Jeremy and Joshua Jaynes, sisters Lola Braun of Tomball, TX and Lois Dawson of Bartlett, TX, and brother Milton Sturm of Holland, TX.
Our thanks go out to her many friends and caregivers who provided her with tender loving care during her battle with Alzheimer's. Visitation has been set for Monday, April 1, 2013 from 5-8 PM at Rader funeral home in Longview and a Memorial service for Tuesday, April 2 at 10:00 AM at First Lutheran Church of Longview. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in her honor, or to First Lutheran Church.
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