Florence Dyste

Florence Dyste
Florence Eva Fowler Dyste, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born on November 12, 1931, Florence married the love of her life, Wallace Frithjof Dyste, on December 19, 1953, in Fairmont, Minnesota. Their story began on a blind date at the University of Minnesota. Florence had declared it would be her last, and it turned out to be the best ever.
Florence and Wally built a life filled with love, adventure, and service. She began her career as an elementary school teacher in the Minneapolis Public Schools while Wally completed his degree. Their journey took them to El Paso, Texas, then to Midland, Michigan. After a seven-year chapter in Carrollton, Kentucky, they returned to Midland, which remained their home for all time. They also had a cottage on nearby Wixom Lake for 20 years where they enjoyed many days with family and friends.
Florence was a lifelong learner and educator, continuing to serve her community through substitute teaching, early childhood assessments, Midland's Woman's Study Club and volunteering at the Midland Hospital gift shop. Her dedication to education and service never waned. In her 80's she took up tutoring through the Literacy Council of Midland County.
She was a masterful knitter, seamstress, and quilter, keeping her family warm and stylish with handmade socks, hats, sweaters, and lovingly stitched quilts. Her gardens were a source of joy and admiration. Florence also explored weaving and embraced creativity in all forms.
Faith and fellowship were central to Florence's life. She and Wally were founding members of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, where she remained active through fellowship and bible study. After Wally's passing in 2010, Florence continued to explore the world, traveling to Jordan, Egypt, and Israel-her faith and curiosity guiding her every step.
Florence is survived by her children, Timothy Wallace (Susan May), Matthew Wayne (Karen Horner), Karen DeVet (Max), and Sue Honaman (Joel); grandchildren, Benjamin T. Dyste, Samuel Dyste, Jacob Dyste, Jenna Dyste, Nick DeVet, Chris DeVet, Lauren Honaman, and Emma Honaman; great-grandchildren, William Bales, Kaedyn Bales, Benjamin G. Dyste, Larson Dyste, Clyde Dyste and Alder Dyste. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wally; and granddaughter, Elizabeth Dyste Bales. Florence is also survived by her sister, Katherine Faye Gebhardt.
A memorial service honoring Florence's life will be held at 11 a.m. on October 20, 2025, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. A private burial for immediate family will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made in Florence's name to The Shelterhouse, Open Door, Midland Food Pantry, or the Dyste Engineering Scholarship through the Midland Community Foundation.
Florence's legacy of love, learning, and service lives on in the hearts of all who knew her.