Florence M. Weis was born November 12, 1914, at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, the only child of Raymond and Florence (Wolf) Weis. She received her education in Tripp and Gregory counties, Iowa, Ohio, and California. In the course of her education, she attended eighteen different schools. In the summer of 1929, she went to Belvidere to work for her uncle and aunt, Nick and Glenna Weis, in the Morford Hotel.
In 1938, Florence moved to Belvidere where she was employed at the Belvidere Auction, Reeves Insurance, Belvidere State Bank, and during the war worked in a war industry on the west coast.
Florence was united in marriage to Leonard A. Sanftner on November 24, 1945 in Belvidere, and to this union were born two sons, Leonard and Gerald.
After their marriage they remained in Belvidere, where they owned and operated the Belvidere Telephone Exchange for eighteen years before selling to Golden West in 1962. They also operated the Star Mail Route from 1949 until 1999.
Florence was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, and a past member of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Belvidere. She served on the Belvidere School Board, was Royal Neighbor Recorder for eighteen years, served on the Jackson-Washabaugh County Library Board, a member of the Jackson County Housing Commission during the Gateway Apartments project, served as clerk of the Belvidere Town Board for fifteen years, and was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Survivors include two sons Leonard Sanftner and his wife Ruby of Kadoka, and Gerald Sanftner and his wife Angela Marcos of Rapid City; six grandchildren Tina Long and her husband Randy of Choctaw, Oklahoma, Terry Sanftner and his wife Julie of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Tim Sanftner and his wife Lana of Kadoka, Chantell Waldmann of Rapid City, Chase Sanftner and his wife Elaine of Black Hawk, and Zack Sanftner of Alaska; six great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Florence was preceded in death by her husband Leonard A. Sanftner on July 9, 1980, and her parents.
Memorial services were held 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 12, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka, with Father Brian Sorenson as celebrant.
Interment was in the Belvidere Cemetery.
MEMORIAL SERVICES
Friday, August 12, 2005 2:00 p.m.
Our Lady Of Victory Catholic Church
Kadoka, South Dakota
CLERGY
Father Bryan Sorensen
MUSIC
JoAnne Stilwell – Pianist
Congregational Hymns
"In The Garden"
"Amazing Grace"
USHERS
D.J. Addison – Al Badure
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Belvidere Cemetery
Belvidere, South Dakota
Guest Book
I wished with all my heart I could have been there. And for that I will never forgive myself for. You Will never be forgotten!
~ Zack Sanftner
A Co. 1-17th INF REG. Apo. AE 09334 (8/9/2005)
It was a unique time in rural life to have a telephone with an operator, and the Belvidere area was blessed to have Flossie. None of us will ever forget the great job she done. She and Leonard were a striking couple, and their friendliness in the telephone office drew everyone in like a magnet. We think of all of you during this time, and our prayers are with you.
~ Justin and Joyce Wheeler
24208 Fairview Road, Philip, SD (8/9/2005)
I used to live in the little apt. next to the telephone office which at one time was the local barbershop. I spent many hours visiting with Flossie to pass the time. I loved her flowers and she always had the brightest, sparkly eyes. A very classy lady!
~ Etta Peters Evans
P.O. Box 186, Colmesneil, TX (8/9/2005)
As a child we made many trips to Belvidere to visit Grandma and Grandpa Buxcel. When we were there, I always enjoyed seeing Flossie. She always made me feel like I was one of her own Grandchildren. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Leanne, Jim and Family
~ Leanna Beloate
Powhatan, VA (8/9/2005)
Our sympathy is with your family. Flossie was a beautiful person and will be missed.
~ Eileen Stolley
PO Box 461, Kadoka, SD (8/9/2005)
Lenny & Jerry: I am so sorry for your loss; Flossie will be missed by the Belvidere group; and I will miss seeing her colorful bit of flowers on Main Street when I'm home. I remember how magic the Telephone Exchange was, and I loved to go inside and watch the Obr girls and your Mom work all those wires. May God be especially close to you at this time. Beryl
~ Beryl (Addison) Geer
PO Box 2018, Gillette, WY 82717-2018 (8/9/2005)
In 26 years of service in the United States Air Force, I have had the opportunity to observe people from all 50 States and over 58 Countries around the world. I have seen a veritable rainbow of personality, with each and every one uniquely defined. It was not often that my path crossed such an individual as Flossy. Though my exposure to her was limited; I could see the strength in her hands, born of hard work, the wisdom in her voice, born of raw experience and through her aging eyes still searching for light, I saw a soul honest and pure. It is an honor to have known you Flossy. God's Speed to you and yours.
~ Randy Long
Choctaw, Oklahoma (8/9/2005)
I am so glad that I stopped & did a quick visit with Flossie after the school reunion. She still had that deep laugh that I always loved to hear way back when---used to work in the phone office in those good old days on Saturdays when I was in high school. Two of the cutest little boys you ever saw. Leonard & Flossie were very proud of them. I have many fond memories of both, Leonard & Flossie. Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this sad time. Ronnie & Emily
~ Emily Sammons
24501 US Hwy 14, Midland, SD 57552 (8/9/2005)
Thank you so much for sharing your life with us for as long as you could. Although it would be tough for anyone to hold a candle to Grandma Buxcel’s pies, you could whip up the best chocolate pudding! You will be missed by so many but we know you’re where you want to be. Peace be with you now and forever.
All My Love,
~ Tina (Sanftner) Long
Choctaw, Oklahoma (8/9/2005)
I am extremely happy I got to know Flossie through my work. She was a genuine person. She loves her family and life in Belvidere very much. I will miss visiting her and hearing stories of her children and grandchildren, especially Chase. Chase happens to be my neighbor so it is fun to tease him. Flossie will be missed by many. God Bless her family.
~ Stacy Dole
11800 Eastridge Hill, Black Hawk, SD 57718 (8/9/2005)