Florence M. Zavadil, age 93 of Glenwood died Friday, September 8, 2017 at Glenwood Retirement Village surrounded by her family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, September 12, at 11:00 A.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glenwood, with Fr. Joe Vandeberg officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood, with the Rosary to be prayed at 4:45 P.M. and Parish Prayers at 7:00 P.M. Visitation will continue on Tuesday at 10:00 A.M. at the church and run until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, Florence's family has requested memorials to Glacial Ridge Hospice in Glenwood.

Florence Mae Reichmann, daughter of August and Evelyn “Lena” (Thoede) Reichmann, was born on February 11, 1924, in Villard, MN. She grew up on the home farm west of Villard along with her three siblings, Clarence, Grace, and Berniece. She attended school in Villard through the 10th grade.

When Florence was a young woman, her brother-in-law, Ben Mrnak, set Florence and her brother, Clarence, up on a blind double date with Walter Zavadil and his sister, Martha. The two couples fell in love and brother and sister married brother and sister. Florence and Walter’s wedding took place on November 25, 1942, at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in Reno Township, rural Lowry. Following their marriage, they made their home on a farm north of Glenwood, where Walter farmed and Florence happily assumed the role and duties of a good farm wife. The two were blessed with four children, Larry, Bruce, Carol, and Tammy. Florence enjoyed baking and sewing for her family and each year she raised large vegetable and flower gardens in addition to helping Walter around the farm. Florence was active in the local Homemakers group and at her church as well as a 4-H volunteer. Sadly, Walter passed away in early December, 1977, just after he and Florence had celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. The couple’s daughters were still young at that time and Florence continued to raise them on her own on the farm. Their son, Bruce, who had been farming with Walter prior to his death, took over the farming operation and eventually raised his family on the home farm. In 2000, Florence moved in to Glenwood, where she resided until the time of her death.

After the children were raised, Florence worked in the housekeeping department at Glenwood Retirement Village for ten years. She was an active and longtime member of Sacred Heart Church and, in her later years, she volunteered at the Glenwood Senior Center. One of her favorite pastimes was playing whist with family and friends. She belonged to the Forada and Villard card clubs, where she enjoyed a reputation as a “card shark”. She also crocheted and did needlepoint and crafts. 

Florence’s family and friends were so very important to her, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, each of whom has their own sweet memories of special time spent with Grandma. She worried about them all and wanted to make sure everyone was always taken care of. She was also always concerned about people she knew who were alone or didn’t have family to care for them. Her thoughtful and gracious nature made her eager to share food, baked goods, and anything else she had to make them feel special and remembered.

Florence will be remembered for the selfless way she always put the needs of her family first. She was very patient, caring, and loving and had a sense of humor that remained with her to the end.

Florence is survived by her four children and their spouses, Larry (Diane) Zavadil of Glenwood, Bruce (Jeannie) Zavadil of Glenwood, Carol (Greg) Staffenhagen of Champlin, and Tammy (Shaun) Stottler of Glenwood; ten grandchildren, Jessica (Darrell) Barger, Joshua (Miranda) Zavadil, Justin (Alisha) Zavadil, Sarah (Mike) Boll, Nathan (Paige) Zavadil, Brianna (John) George, Jordan Zavadil, Jeremy Staffenhagen, Zachary Stottler, and Ryan Stottler; twelve great-grandchildren, Mia McAleer, Jordan, Cole, and Grace Barger, Edward Zavadil, Willow Zavadil, Sophia, Annika, and Emelia Boll, Tayven and Talia George, and Allie Zavadil; one sister, Berniece (Dick) Oeltjen of Glenwood; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Evelyn and August Reichmann; her husband, Walter; her siblings, Clarence (Martha) Reichmann, Grace (Ben) Mrnak, and two brothers in infancy.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials be directed to Glacial Ridge Hospice in memory of Florence.

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