Florence Elisabeth Ward

Florence Elisabeth Ward (Kiel)

Age 94, of Frankfort, II, peacefully entered the presence of her Lord, surrounded by her loving family, early Wednesday morning, September 28, 2022.

Florence was born on July 3, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, to Otto and Elsa Vivian Kiel. She was the eldest of four daughters and was an active member of the Zion Evangelical Free Church in Chicago. Florence graduated from Austin High School and met her husband Ralph Ward while attending the Moody Bible Institute. Ralph and Florence were married on July 2, 1955, and within the next six years, the Lord blessed them with four children, Cheryl, Diane, David, and Barbara. They raised their family in Country Club Hills and later retired in Frankfort. They were faithful members of the Open Door Baptist Church and later at Oak Forest Baptist Temple, and Heritage Baptist Church, Frankfort. Florence served the Lord in many capacities during her entire life, including singing in the church choir, Sunday school and VBS teacher, and AWANA leader.

Florence always had a love of mathematics and worked in the accounting offices for many years at The Barrett Bindery Company, Chicago, Allied Tube and Conduit, and DAP, Global Inc., in the south suburbs. She loved to entertain her family and friends and is remembered for her gracious hospitality and delicious home cooked meals. She cared deeply for her family and friends and was always the first to offer help. Florence always provided support and love to others and was a Proverbs 31 woman-"her children arise up and call her blessed". She never complained and was always patient, peaceful, and compassionate. Her friendly, cheerful, and sweet disposition will always be remembered.

Florence's greatest joy in life was her family. She was the beloved wife of the late Ralph D. Ward; loving mother of Cheryl (James) Howard, Diane (David) Wilson, David (Melanie) Ward, and Barbara (Darryl) Hudson; cherished grandmother of Christa (Christian) Roeh, Joshua (Bethany) Howard, Jenna (Matthew) Cheung, and Jonathan Howard, Jeremy Wilson, Justin (Melinda) Wilson, and Jaimie (Peter) Dickinson, Sarah (Steve) Storkson, Spencer Ward, and Caleb, Rachel, and Noah Hudson; adoring great-grandmother of Hannah, Adeline, and Ezra Roeh, Lucas, Ian, Piper, and Callie Howard, Alistair and Summer Cheung, Judah and Laila Wilson, Chloe Dickinson, Ada, Emelia, Jude, and Rory Storkson; fond sister of Gloria Dearing and Dolores Serwich. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Pauline Franklin.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, October 8, 2022, from 10:00AM until time of Funeral Service at 11:00 AM at Heritage Baptist Church, 21739 S. LaGrange Rd., Frankfort, IL 60423. Interment private. Isaiah 26:3. ''Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee."

Funeral arrangements handled by Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 65 Old Frankfort Way, Frankfort IL 60423 www.kurtzmemorialchapel.com or 815-806-2225