Florence Louise Adams

Florence Louise (Bruner) Adams was born in Kempton, Illinois March 28, 1920, the daughter of John Henry Bruner and Matilda Kimmel Bruner. Florence received her elementary and high school education in Kempton, Illinois, graduating from Kempton High School in 1938. She graduated as Valedictorian of her senior class. She attended Illinois Normal University for one semester before returning home. Soon after returning home she was hired to work for the State Farm Insurance Company in Bloomington, Illinois and worked her way up to become an Underwriter. Three years later, she took a Civil Service exam and was offered a position in Washington DC and worked as a secretary for Commander Lank of the U.S. Navy. Florence worked for Commander Lank at the Bureau of Engraving in Washington DC for six months and then returned back to Bloomington, Illinois and continued to work for State Farm Insurance Company until she was married in March of 1945. Flo and Russell Adams were married on March 20, 1945, in the First Methodist Church in Kempton, Illinois. Russell had just returned to the States after serving in the Pacific Theater for three and half years during World War II. They farmed in Illinois, where three of their children were born, until they moved to Idaho in 1956. They homesteaded 146 acres in 1957, on A&B Irrigation district land following a lottery drawing. It was here that two additional children were born. It was on this homestead that together they farmed and raised their five children, Timm Russell, Lynn Louise, Starr Suzanne, Todd Nicholas and Jill Janine. Flo spent 25 years raising her children and helping farm on the homestead. She then began driving back and forth to Pocatello, Idaho in 1963, where she attended Idaho State University and graduated in August of 1967, with Bachelor degrees in both Elementary and Secondary Education. She taught school at Paul Elementary for three years before being transferred to Minico High School in 1967. Flo taught English in the high school until 1981, when she resigned to travel with her husband. For many years she and her husband traveled in their fifth wheel to Scottsdale, Arizona during the winter months. After her husband passed away in 1997, Flo stayed on the homestead for two and half years before moving to Paul, Idaho where she resided until her passing in Fruitland, ID. Flo was a member of the Rupert United Methodist Church in Rupert, Idaho; a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Teacher Sorority; a member of the Paul American Legion Auxiliary; a member of the Desert Dozen; a member of the Patron/Parent Advisory Team Committee of Minidoka County Schools and she served as president and secretary in many organizations. For many years in the summer months, Flo and her husband enjoyed working in their beautiful yard and garden. They not only produced ample vegetables but also vibrant flowers. Flo loved music, particularly classical, jazz, and swing. She enjoyed playing the piano and sang in various choirs. In her most recent years, she loved to listen to her vast collection of music and enjoyed most genres of music. She loved her family very much. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Russell; a precious daughter, Starr; a grandson, Michael Adams; six brothers; and four sisters. She is survived by four children, Timm (Barbara) Adams, Lynn (Doug) Osbourne, Todd (Lanette) Adams, and Jill (Greg) Stutzman; eleven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews whom are very dear to her. The family requests memorials be directed to Reflections Choir at Minico High School or the musical memorial of your choice. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Hansen Mortuary 710 6th Street Rupert. Visitation for family and friends will be held for one hour prior to the services at the mortuary. Services will conclude with burial at the Paul Cemetery under the direction of Hansen Mortuary.