Floreine J. Kurtzweil

Floreine's philosophy on life was this: "As a practicing Catholic, I try to make the world a better place by being charitable with my time, talent, and money. To accomplish this, I protect my spiritual, mental and physical health. As a result, I have a good feeling about myself and enjoy my life in my family, friends, and activities. I am grateful for the state of my personal welfare and strive to spread cheer and give hope and encouragement."

Floreine J Kurtzweil left this world after a century of living! She was born June 9, 1921 at the family home near Edgar WI, the daughter of Rupert, Sr. and Annette (Cepuder) Kurtzweil. She left us on September 17, 2025 under hospice care at House of the Dove, Marshfield, WI. She was the oldest of 7 siblings.

Farm life in the 1930's found Floreine milking cows in the morning before walking 2 miles to school. There were 64 students in this one-room school house, covering 8 grades. The 2 mile walk was part of their day, and she shares that the Dust Bowl made it up to WI and they would walk backwards into the storm to protect their faces from the dirt swirling around.

Floreine was employed as a stenographer in Wausau, WI directly after high school, earning $24/week. At the beginning of World War II, she took a train to Chicago where she worked as a secretary for 44 years. Her first job was with the Chicago Tribune, the newspaper to which her parents were subscribers and she subscribed to and read well into her 103 years! Next she went to Radio Station WGN, after that a small advertising agency and finally, from 1955-1983, till her retirement at age 62, she spent 28 years at Leo Burnett Advertising Agency.

Floreine enjoyed playing duplicate bridge, volunteering, traveling and keeping her Catholic faith an integral part of her life. Her travels, both foreign and domestic, were shared with others upon her return at local nursing homes. Her fondest memories were of the 6 weeks in Europe in 1952, which cost a total of $1143. She was one of ten people at the audience with Pope Pius XII. She also attended the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan in 1981, in Washington D.C. Floreine volunteered 12 years in the Spinal Injury Unit at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago. She was the lady always wearing her hat, spreading cheer and giving hope and encouragement to those around her.

Floreine retired to her ancestral home in Wisconsin to live with her widowed father. She obtained her 1st driver's license at that time, age 62, and continued to enjoy duplicate bridge, driving 25 miles to Wausau every Tuesday. She was the first woman in Marathon County to serve as a Town of Emmet Supervisor from 1984-1988. She was President of St. Patrick's Parish Council of Catholic Women, Secretary of the same, served on the Parish Board and Cemetery Board. You may have seen her as the hostess for the Lenten Fish Frys that drew as many as 900 guests each week! She continued to volunteer at Marshfield Medical Center in the Family Waiting room from 2006-2023.

Floreine moved to Marshfield at age 83 to Wildwood Regency Apartments. She was a member of the Marshfield Zoological Society, where she could be found walking the 2 mile stretch of Zoo Drive 4 days a week. She also was involved with the Republican Party her entire adult life. Floreine stated, "It's not so much being involved in a specific party as it is being involved in good citizenship. Being informed makes for a better country. Use your conscience and be informed." She was an avid blood donor, with her last donation at age 100. At age 102, in 2023, she moved to Stoney River Assisted Living where she continued to be active in her weekly duplicate bridge games, scabble and taking notes at monthly meetings as an advocate for the residents. At age 104, Floreine decided hospice care was best for her and moved to House of the Dove early September, 2025.

We enjoyed reading her notes each month that she shared with her family. Since she moved to Chicago, she typed a journal of her daily life happenings, expenses, thoughts, etc. She was matter of fact and also insightful on various subjects. Always engaged with her glass of wine and '60 Minutes' and was a competitor with her Scrabble board! She was a 'Hoot'! Floreine was 'a gift' to all of us, as she understood self care and shared that via her kindness and volunteerism to others. She was always one to want to learn new things!

Floreine is survived by her sisters Dorothy Sauer (OH) and Cecilia Kurtzweil (WI). Many nieces/nephews, great nieces/nephews and great-great nieces/nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Rupert, Jr. and sisters Valerie Flipovich, MaryAnne Kurtzweil and Antoinette (Toni) Lang.

A Mass of Christian burial will the held 10:00 am Saturday, October 4th, 2025 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Halder. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 9am until time of service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, she indicated she would prefer donations to St. Patrick's Parish, (Halder) Mosinee, WI or Catholic Charities, LaCrosse, WI.