Florence Jennie (Gocke) Paulus was born February 25, 1921 near Waco, Nebraska. She was the fourteenth of fifteen children born to Fred and Minnie (Klone) Gocke. Although her formal education ended after 7 years (skipped grade 6), she was full of practical wisdom, and well able to cope with life. At the age of 18 she moved to California, trained as a beautician, and married Henry Paulus on January 3, 1948. She enjoyed gardening, canning fruit in the summer time, and sewing.
While living in Terra Bella she was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and active in the LWML and the choir. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. In Santa Rosa, she was a member of Mount Olive Lutheran church and became well known for sewing hot pads from scrap cloth which she gave away to family and friends. She trusted in Jesus as her Lord and Saviour. His words “I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in Me, will live even if he dies” gave her great comfort and hope.
She was preceded in death by a son, Edward (1998) and her husband Henry (2008). She is survived by one son, (Larry) and two daughters (Nancy and Cheryl), four grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren (with a fourth on the way). She died February 1, 2021, 24 days short of her 100th birthday, but still a life well lived and full of days.
A private graveside service will be held at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Terra Bella, California on Friday, February 19, 2021 at 11:00 AM. Donations may be made to the Florence Paulus Memorial at Zion Lutheran Church, 10341 Rd. 256, Terra Bella, CA 932701. To share a memory or express condolences to the family, please go to
www.myersfuneral.com/obituaries
. Myers Funeral Service & Crematory in Porterville is in charge of arrangements.