Florine A. (Hurst) Vernon

Monday, January 7, 2019

Oct. 16, 1915 - Jan. 5, 2019

OBERLIN, Kan. — Florine A. (Hurst) Vernon of Oberlin passed away Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, at the age of 103.

She was born near Achilles, Kan., to Aubra John Hurst and Hazel Ione (Riblett) Hurst at their home. She was the third of 10 children. Florine grew up on the family farm, helping her dad farm with horses, milking cows and gardening with her mother. Florine attended grade school at Achilles. She attended high school in Oberlin. She and her sister, Pauline, batched all week during high school, going home on the weekends.

Florine married Cecil Dale Vernon on Nov. 23, 1935. To this union was born two daughters, Dorothy and Sharon and one son, Richard.

Florine and Cecil bought a farm near the Kansas border in 1944. Florine worked right along beside her husband, Cecil, building their farm, by raising crops, milking cows and raising hogs and chickens. Florine had a large garden where no weeds could be found. Florine dressed hundreds of chickens and sold them. She also sold eggs to the bakery, cleaning each one by hand.

In 1965, they moved to Oberlin, where Florine worked for the SRS, the Golden Age Center, for many years. She drove the school bus for 14 years. Her hobbies were crotcheting, quilting and gardening. She raised and canned her last garden at the age of 101, with the help of her niece, Montine.

Florine was preceded in death by her parents, Aubra and Hazel Hurst; husband, Cecil; son-in-law, Roger Shimek; brothers, Johnny Hurst and Francis Hurst; and sisters, Nellie Hurst, Euella Erickson, Nora Bearley and Pauline Olsen.

She is survived by three children, Dorothy Shimek of Jennings, Kan., Sharon (Eldon) Parde of McCook, Neb., and Richard (Shelly) Vernon of Wahoo, Neb..; brother, Don Hurst, of Hays, Kan. and two sisters, Betty Beckley of Colby, Kan., and Shirley Most of Russell, Kan.; 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, friends and family.

Florine was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in McCook for over 60 years. She also taught Sunday school and played the piano when needed.

Memorials may be given in her name.

Visitation is Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, from 5 to 7 p.m., with family present, at Pauls Funeral Home in Oberlin.

Memorial services are Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, at 2 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church, 811 East C in McCook, with the Rev. Richard Vernon officiating, assisted by grandson, the Rev. Richard Gervais and granddaughter, the Rev. Alisa Parde. Burial will follow at the Oberlin Cemetery.

Pauls Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.