Gloria Vann Smith Floren

Floren Gloria Vann Smith Floren, age 80, a former Edina resident, passed away on September 27, 2002. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM, on Thursday, October 10, at the First United Methodist Church in Gadsden, AL. She earned a BS degree in Social Sciences from Auburn School of Education. In 1944, she married H. Gerald Floren, a MN native. After WWII they moved to MN and resided in St. Paul and Willmar before settling in Edina in 1959. In 1994 they returned to Gloria's hometown of Gadsden. Gloria enjoyed entertaining family and friends, was an avid collector of antiques, and through her interest in interior decorating, fashioned a lovely home. She also valued needlepoint, touring historic homes, reading, gardening and sharing recipes. She was a compassionate caregiver with contagious optimism and a zest for life. Surviving her are her husband, H. Gerald Floren; son, H. Gerald Floren Jr. (Jerry), his wife, Susan and their children Reed Alexander and Alexandra Chambless, all of St. Peter, MN; son, Owen Wesley Floren, his wife Mary, their daughter, Melissa, Mary's daughter Courtney Brown and Courtney's son Michael, all of Burnsville, MN; sister, Patricia Smith Hartenstine of Chestertown, MD; several nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents, Henry Holcombe Smith and Addie Waitstelle Vann Smith; sisters Roberta Smith Pless & Virginia Smith Suess.

Published on October 6, 2002