Florence Martha Klitzke

Florence Martha Wilde Foley Klitzke, age 99, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Community Memorial Health Center in Harley, Iowa. Florence was born May 14, 1927, in Rock Township, Mitchell County, Iowa, to Lawrence and Leona (Kanzenbach) Wilde.

Florence was baptized in the Lutheran Faith on June 12, 1927, by Reverend J. Gemaleich at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rock Township. She was confirmed on June 1, 1941, at Emmanuel Church in Grafton, Iowa, by Reverend H. L. Lechner. She attended Grafton and Kensett schools, graduating May of 1944 from Kensett High School. She also attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, taking professional business courses. While at Luther, she worked part-time for Attorney Frank Miller. She worked in the offices of Wilson & Company in Albert Lea, Minnesota, working for C. D. Darrigrand. Later she moved on to Chicago to work at Corn Products Refining Company in the corporate offices as secretary to A. T. Harding. Her dream was to work on Michigan Ave. in Chicago, and she accomplished her dream by working at the 333 Michigan Ave. building across the bridge from the famous White Wrigley Building.

Florence met Ruben Foley while working in Albert Lea. They married on February 14, 1947, and lived in Chicago for a few years where children Ruben Jr. and Linda were born. Florence and Ruben Sr. moved back to Northwood in 1952 where he helped his brother farm. While living in Northwood, children Larry and Wendy were born in Mason City. Ruben Sr. passed away suddenly on Sunday, December 20, 1959, from a heart attack at the age of 41. He was buried at Sunset Rest Cemetery on December 23, 1959. After his passing, Florence was hired by Kermit Paulson to work at Northwood State Bank, now NSB Bank. She worked there for almost 32 years before she retired.

After being a widow for some years, she met and later married Kenneth Klitzke on August 4, 1970. Kenny passed away from heart problems on December 20, 1984. He was buried December 22, 1984, at Sunset Rest Cemetery.

Florence formally taught Sunday School, helped with Scouts, Secretary to Meals on Wheels, Cancer Board Daffodils, Relay for Life, Treasurer for Salvation Army at the bank, advocate at the Northwood Retirement Home, gave communion to shut-ins through First Lutheran Church, belonged to Martha Circle at First Lutheran Church, member of Sorosis Club, and helped with the 55 club at the bank. She also did some babysitting for her grandchildren after she retired.

She loved to cook, bake and do embroidery work. She was thankful to have some of her grandchildren close and have them pop in. They were a great blessing after her mother passed away.

God has given her a loving, caring family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Left to Cherish her memory are her children, Ruben (Carrie) Foley, Apple Valley, MN, Linda (Michael) Reberry, Overland Park, KS, Larry (Karen) Foley, Northwood, IA, Wendy McMullen, Spencer, IA; grandchildren, Alison (Peter) Woog, Hastings, MN, Bryce (Holly) Foley, Inver Grove Heights, MN, Jon (Liz) Reberry, Overland Park, KS, Megan Reberry, Overland Park, KS, Lisa (Robert) Patterson, Northwood, IA, Krista (Jordan) Doyle, Albert Lea, MN, Andrea Foley (Alex Nelson), Austin, MN, Kate (Nate) Westphal, Aurelia, IA, Chris (Angie) McMullen, Grimes, IA; great grandchildren, Blake, Isabella, Grace, and Kira Woog, Kal-El, Croix and Serverin Foley, Aria and Ender Reberry, Natalie and Reid Patterson, Preslie, Ava, and Christian Doyle, Henry and Harrison Nelson, Morgan, Avery, and Piper Westphal, and Maxwell and Madelyn McMullen; stepchildren, Larry Klitzke, and David Klitzke and family, along with many relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Laurence and Leona Wilde; husbands, Ruben Foley and Kenneth Klitzke; stepson, Kevin Klitzke; son-in-law, Doug McMullen.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at the Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley and Hospice @ Avera in Spencer for their loving care. It was greatly appreciated.

Your presence and support mean the most. If you would like to honor Florence with a gift, donations may be made to First Lutheran Church in Northwood.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Northwood, Iowa. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood.

Hoff Celebrations – Sites Memorial Chapel of Northwood is assisting the family with arrangements.