Florence Counter

Florence Counter, 96 of Sioux City passed away on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013 at home surrounded by her family members. Services will be at 10:00 A.M. Thursday at St. Thomas Orthodox Church, 1100 Jones St., Sioux City. Rev. Lucas Rice will officiate. Private graveside services will be at St. Thomas Orthodox Cemetery in Graceland Park. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. Wed. with the family present from 6:00 - 8:00 and a Trisagion Service at 7:30 P.M. Wed. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Florence was born September 14, 1917 in Walthill, NE; she was the daughter of Edward and Sadie (Shdad) Haddad. Florence spent her early years in the Walthill area and then moved to Sioux City. She lived the rest of her life in Sioux City. She married Floyd Counter in 1942 and to this union 7 children were born, Ron, Kathy, Renee, Keith, Rodney, Kevin and Rhonda. Floyd passed away Nov. 19, 2004 in Sioux City. After raising her 7 children, Florence started a 35 year career at the Holy Spirit Retirement Home. She was a lifelong member of St. Thomas Orthodox Church and was currently the oldest member. She helped make cabbage rolls for the semi-annual Syrian dinners at the Church. In her younger years, Florence and Floyd enjoyed dancing on Saturday nights at the Eagles and Moose Lodge. She enjoyed playing bingo and cards and doing jigsaw puzzles. She was a wonderful cook and always had an open chair at her table for other people. Survivors include her children: Ronald (Jean) Counter, Kathy (Wally)Reid, Renee (Gary) Swensen, Keith Counter, Kevin Counter, Rhonda (Kevin) Kelley; 9 grandchildren: Ryan (Cindy) Puttman, Aaron (Jennifer) Broermann, Travis Broermann, Jason (Denise) Broermann, Ronnie Counter, Josh Counter, Ali (Zach) Williams, Danielle Kelley and Joe Kelley, 5 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Florence was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Floyd; her son Rodney; her brothers and sisters: Mayme Schnepf, Christina Rice, Ruth Nemer, Sarah Mason, Jean Miller, Tommy Haddad and George Haddad. The family would like to thank everyone involved with the care of their mother, and a special thank you to Renee & Gary and Kevin for the loving care they gave mother. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.