Florentine “Flossie” Cates

Florentine “Flossie” Ludwig Cates, age 83, of Lake View, Iowa, passed away on Friday, November 28, 2003, at Stewart Memorial Hospital in Lake City, Iowa.

Flossie was born on May 5, 1920, at home on the family farm near Mt. Carmel, the daughter of Frank and Agnes (Wernimont) Ludwig. She was baptized and confirmed at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church. She grew up on the family farm north of Breda and attended Mt. Carmel School though the eighth grade.

On November 26, 1946, Flossie was united in marriage to Harlan W. Cates at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sac City. To this union three children were born: Marvin, Patricia, and Donnavon. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wall Lake.

Flossie was a devoted wife and mother. She worked outside the home as a cook at Lake View Auburn School and was a housekeeper for Father Tolan at Wall Lake. She loved the farm life, crocheting, spending time with her grandchildren, and the Lake Riders Saddle Club.

Survivors include her children: Marvin Cates and his wife Sherry of Rockwell City, IA, Donnavon “Don” and his wife Marcene of Auburn, IA, and Patricia Gosch and her husband Steve of Sac City, IA; her 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; her brothers: Leo Ludwig and his wife Kay of Cochran, WI, Edwin Ludwig and his wife Joyce of Rochester, MN; her sisters: Edna Greving and her husband Bernard of Carroll, IA, and Marita Ludwig of Glenwood, IA; a sister-in-law Marilyn Ludwig of Lake City; and extended family and friends.

Flossie was preceded in death by her parents; husband Harlan on April 14, 1974, a sister Loretta; and four brothers: Cletus, Elmer, Bill, and Lenius.

Services will be held Tuesday, December 2, 2003, 10:30 a.m., at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wall Lake, Iowa, with Father John McGuirk officiating. Music will be provided by the St. Joseph’s Choir with Sue Mein, organist. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Auburn, Iowa.

Visitation is 4:00 – 8:00 pm, Monday, December 1, with 7:30 Vigil Service at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Lake View, Iowa.