Florence Elden, 84, of Oslo, MN, after the blessing of being entirely lucid the day before she passed and saying goodbye to her sons and extended family, achieved her wish of going to be with God on Saturday, January 8, 2022, dying in her sleep in Valley Senior Living, Grand Forks, ND.
Florence Ann Finneman was born on March 11, 1937, in Martin, ND, the daughter of LeRoy and Minnie (Feldman) Finneman. She was raised in Harvey, ND for a time before moving to Oslo at the age of 10. She graduated from the local high school in the spring of 1955 and shortly thereafter was united in marriage to Erling M. Elden on June 20, 1955, in old St. Joseph Catholic Church in Oslo. The two made their home together on the Elden family farm in Oak Park Township, later moving into town in 1960.
In addition to raising their three sons, Florence worked outside the home as a bookkeeper, taking care of Oslo High School (1960-1965), the City of Oslo (1971-2000), and St. Joseph Church (2005-2010). In addition to being the Treasurer of the city for nearly three decades, Florence was elected to two terms as Mayor. She was always active in her church, she enjoyed reading, and could often be found in her well-tended flower garden.
To all who knew her, Florence was a “sparkplug,” a woman who wasn't afraid to get things done and have a laugh while doing it. She cared deeply for her family and was blessed to be both a mother and a true friend to her boys.
Florence is survived by sons Wayne (Sharon) Elden of Drayton, ND, and Craig (Narmeen) Elden of Phoenix, AZ; granddaughters, Kiki Mendoza, Brenna Costa, and Paige Elden; sisters, Jane (Clark) Klava and Bonnie Buxbaum; great-grandchildren, Salma and Noah Alday; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Erling, in 1989; son, Mark, in 1974; brother, LeRoy Finneman Jr. in 1996; and grandson-in-law, Luke Costa in 2021.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Thursday, January 13, 2022, at 10:00 AM, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oslo, MN.
A RECORDING may be found at this link: https://fb.watch/awx4YX8Xxu/
VISITATION: One hour prior to Mass.
INTERMENT: Summer of 2022, in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Oslo, MN.