Obituary of Florence Balgemann

Florence G. Balgemann, of Lockport, entered into rest on Thursday, May 10th, after a lengthy and fulfilling life. Born June 12, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Ernest and Elizabeth (nee Raetz) Roeseler of Lockport, NY. Florence was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Otto J. Balgemann, on November 16, 2009. Florence resided in the Town of Lockport for most of her life and was employed for 22 years as a hostess at the Lockport Town and Country Club, where she planned many parties and events. She was professionally trained in floral design and later opened her own flower shop, "Floral Designs of Clarence", which prospered until she retired in 1985. She was a talented homemaker, and was a wonderful cook and seamstress. She enjoyed working in her outdoor flower gardens, and was also very proud of her raised vegetable garden, which she and Otto referred to as "The Victory Garden". She tended to her garden regularly on her scooter chair, with the help of her devoted cat, "Casey". Florence loved her family, and doing things for them, and especially enjoyed holidays together, trips to Texas to visit Danny and Sherry, and trips to the Caribbean. Florence was blessed to have a loving family that was able to care for her needs in her later years, making it possible for her to remain in her own home right up until the last few weeks of her life. For this she felt extremely fortunate and was grateful to her family and the other caregivers who treated her so well at home and at Briody Health Care Facility in Lockport. Florence was proud to be a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Lockport, as were her parents and grandparents. Florence is survived by two children; a daughter Susanne (Gary) McCollum of Gasport, NY, and a son Danny (Sherry) Balgemann of Canyon Lake, Texas. Four grandchildren: David (Cindy) McCollum, Dale (Jane) McCollum, Barbara (Michael) Outten and Connie Soemann all of Gasport; sixteen great grandchildren: Jennifer, Elizabeth, Amanda, Emily, Aaron and Aidan McCollum and Jessica (James) Schimek, Caldon and Christopher McCollum, Adam (Shannon), Abram, Timothy, Sarah and Melissa Outten and Jeffrey and Stephen Soemann, a great-great granddaughter, Jillian Schimek and five step-great grandchildren; Joseph Nolan, Kyle, Chelsee and Kristina Crowell and Jessica Outten. Florence is also survived by her sister, Helen (late Richard) Decker, of Lockport, NY and was predeceased by a brother Donald (Joyce) Roeseler, of Lockport; also survived by two nephews. Relatives and friends may call Tuesday, May 15th, 4-8 PM in Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee Street, Lockport. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 16th, at 10:30 AM at the funeral home, with the Reverend Alan Bauch officiating. Interment will be in Cold Springs Cemetery, Lockport, NY. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or Niagara Hospice. Please visit www.pruddenandkandt.com. <h3>Visitation</h3> Relatives and friends may call Tuesday, May 15th, 4-8 PM in Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee Street, Lockport. <h3>Services</h3> Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 16th, at 10:30 AM at the funeral home, with the Reverend Alan Bauch officiating. <h3>Interment</h3> Interment will be in Cold Springs Cemetery, Lockport, NY.