Jean Joyce Florian passed away peacefully at the Valley View Villa on Saturday, July 17 ^th , 2021 at the age of 79 years.

Jean was born July 8 ^th , 1942 in Winneshiek County, Iowa to Richard and Doris (Blomgren) Blaess.  She grew up in Burr Oak on the family farm(dairy) and was confirmed at Burr Oak Lutheran Church.  After graduating from South Winneshiek High school, she met Paul Florian and they were married.  They moved back to Akron and this is where she started a home and family.  When she arrived in Akron she did not know how to drive but, quickly had to learn because it was a necessity to surviving on the farm.  Afterall, who was going to go get the groceries and chase the boys all over for their activities.

She always had a big garden and enjoyed canning tomatoes, dill pickles and of course the jelly that everyone wanted a jar or two of.  And then there was the bread making!  Everyone wanted a loaf or two.  The boys talked about walking home from the bus and smelling homemade bread in the air.

Those onery three boys kept her hopping.  Wayne says he remembers back talking and he took off running, thinking she wouldn't catch him but, she did.  One time Elton crawled up the windmill and was scared to get down.  So, Jean crawled up after him and brought him down.    Steve remembers riding on the minibike and falling off, breaking his leg.  Wayne took him home and Jean tried to stand him up saying it wasn't broken all the while the other two were hollering "is he going to die!"

When they started school and sports, she was always there for every activity or event.  When wrestling season started and one of the boys were up, most everyone who knew her moved away as she became quite animated, screaming, hollering, clapping and hitting whoever was close.  She continued to follow the sporting events and activities of her grandchildren.  She loved them all and enjoyed having them around.

She loved baking and crafting.  She won several ribbons at the fair for her beautiful cross-stitching projects, quilting and crocheting.  She was also an avid bowler.  She was always on a bowling team and did quite well even going to a state tournament.

When she met Terry she started a new chapter of her life.  They began spending the winters in Apache Junction, Arizona.  They made many new friends while living there.  She enjoyed playing cribbage and other activities with her Arizona friends.  She and Terry made many trips into Mexico and lots of places she had never been to.  Some of the trips that she talked of were going up through Canada and to Niagra Falls, the Caribbean cruise, San Diego and several trips back to visit family in Iowa.

She will forever be remembered for her contagious laugh, sharp wit and charming sense of humor.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents Richard and Doris, her father and mother-in-law Henry and Frances Powers Florian, 2 of her siblings, Dick Blaess, and Pauline Blaess Kerns, and in-laws Gilman Tangen, Lyle Knoke, Lynn Kerns, Larry Florian, Bob Florian, Dee Kraich, Delbert Florian, and Edna Florian, Paul Florian, and grandson Travis Florian.

She is survived by her longtime friend Terry Shedd of Apache Junction, AZ; her son Wayne Florian and wife Dawn of Akron, her son Elton Florian and wife Shannon of Akron, and her son Steven Florian of Superior; her grandchildren Shelby and Kyle Dorrenbacher of Akron, Megan Florian of Otis, Ethan Florian and fiancé Breanna Haggard of Akron, and Garrett Florian and fiancé Ana Menchaca of Akron; her great grandchildren Lynzee Dorrenbacher and fiancé Levi Basler of Grand Junction, Kiley Florian of Wray, Seth Dorrenbacher of Akron, Dravin Florian of Naples, Florida, Kaybree Florian of Akron, and Elianna Florian of Akron.

She is survived by her sister Donna Knoke of Decorah, IA; her brothers Darold Blaess and wife Arlene of Canton, MN, and George Blaess and wife Caraline of Saint Paris, OH; her in-laws Phyllis Blaess of Burr Oak, IA, Lois Florian, Nancy Florian, Darlene Kraich, Tom and Kay Fuller all of Akron, and Brenda Florian of Colorado Springs; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and a host of friends in Colorado and Arizona.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church or the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program.