Florence Irish

Florence A. Irish, age 92, of Lancaster, passed away on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque, IA. She was born on August 26, 1924, in Dubuque, IA, the daughter of William and Dorothy (Wright) Haudenshield, and lived through the Great Depression and World War II. Florence graduated from Jefferson Junior High School in 1939, and Dubuque Senior High School in 1942, and later attended the University of Dubuque. She was employed at Dubuque Packing Company and Chicago Sewing Machine Company. It was during her employment with Westinghouse Radio Company where she met Clyde Irish, Jr. and they were married on February 3, 1949, in Winona, MN. Together they farmed the Irish family farm in South Lancaster Township. Florence worked side by side with her husband, Clyde. She was a homemaker, outstanding cook, raised many gardens, milked cows, and took care of livestock from the 1950's to the 1990's. Florence was also an artist, seamstress, and an avid reader. She was a charter member of the Lancaster Seventh-Day Adventist Church since 1960. Florence attributed her long life to the Biblical principles. She enjoyed driving the many red Buicks that she owned.Survivors include her son, Gary (Karen) Irish; a daughter, Susan (Richard) Gilbertson; and many grand-dogs; nieces, nephews and cousins.In addition to her parents, Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde; her sisters: Elvira (Herbert) McMahon, Elaine (Ken) Einsweiler; her grandfather, Jacob "Big Jake" Haudenshield, who was a sheriff in Dubuque and her uncle, Sidney Haudenshield, who owned Haudenshield Funeral Home in Dubuque.Funeral services were held Sunday, March 19, 2017, at 1:30 p.m. at Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Lancaster with Pastor Samuel Garbi officiating. Burial was in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and friends called on Sunday from 12:00 noon until time of services at the church. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster is serving the family.