About my Great Great Grandmother:
1870 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her parents and siblings: Eleanor & Merritt; she was attending school - age 9.
1880 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Benton & Warren, Lucas, IA with her parents and siblings: Eleanor, Merrit, Lillie & Charles; she was attending school - age 15.
1900 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian and children: Herbert, Eunice & Fred; she could read and write and is listed as having had 3 children with 3 children living.
1910 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian, son Herbert and his wife Hattie; she could read and write and is listed as having had 3 children with 3 children living.
1920 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian, mother Elizabeth Shuck and grandsons: Theodore and Marian; she could read and write.
1930 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian, mother Elizabeth Shuck and grandson Theodore; her occupation is given as homemaker and she could read and write.
1940 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Derby, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian, brother Charles Shuck and grandson Marian; her highest grade completed is given as the 8th grade and she shows $0 income for 1939.
From my family book 'A Pilgrimage into My Past' - Flora Belle Shuck's Story
Flora was the first born child of Peter and Betty Shuck. She told her descendants that she was a very sickly and weak child, and that the family doctor had warned her parents that she probably wouldn't survive for very long. The doctor was obviously wrong.
By the time Flora was ten years old her mother was working as a practical nurse, leaving her daughter in charge of many of the duties involved in running the household and caring for her younger siblings.
At the same time Flora had a strong desire to learn, did well in school and in 1881, at the age of sixteen, Flora received her teaching certificate from the Lucas County School Board. Years later she enjoyed telling her family that the rules stated that you were supposed to be at least eighteen years old to be certified, but as they never asked her age, she didn't volunteer it. Somewhere in the next two years she attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa for one year. One of her teachers was John L. Lewis who went on to become the head of the United Mine workers Union.
On 4 October 1883 Flora married Marion Conner who had also been born and raised in Derby, Iowa. There can be no doubt that these two families had known each other well over the years, but as to how long Marion courted Flora before they married we can only guess. The young coupled moved into a farm in Warren Twp just outside of Derby. The couple was forced to sell this farm in 1893 when a business venture went bad. They bought a second farm in 1900 (possibly with the financial help of Flora's mother Betty Shuck) and the mortgage for this one was actually in Flora's name.
During the first decade of the marriage Flora and Marion were blessed with three healthy children, one daughter and two sons. Over the next years the families financial situation can almost be measured by the census records that shows their home mortgaged in 1900, free of a mortgage by 1910 and with the mortgage back on in 1920. Life on the farm would have been busy and tiring, but Flora was never one to shirk work and always carried more then her share of the load.
By 1910 all three of her children had married and only her older son Herbert and his wife were living in the Derby farmhouse with them - Herbert helping his father to run the farm. Around 1914 the members of Flora's household went through quite a change as older son Herbert, now working for the railroad, moved his wife and two children to their new home, and younger son Frederick's older two sons, Theodore (Ted) and Marion moved in with their grandparents. And in 1918 Flora's mother Betty Shuck returned from Idaho, where she had been living with Flora's youngest brother, and moved in with Flora and Marion. It is obvious that Flora was the caregiver of the family and that her house was always open for anyone in her family who needed a home.
Over the next several years Flora's grandson Marvin, Herbert's son, came and went several times, living with his grandparents whenever he needed a place to stay. And grandson Theodore continued to live with them until shortly after 1930 when he moved out permanently, later marrying and settling down. By this time Flora and Marion's financial situation was dire, they were penniless, had no cattle, and very little food. The drought had been so severe that Marion had not been able to save his crops for the last two seasons, and without feed he could not raise his cattle. And in addition to the two of them there was still Flora's aged mother Betty to care for. At this point their grandson Marion returned to Derby and spent the next two years trying to help his grandparents save their farm.
In 1932, probably one of the most difficult years of her life, Flora lost her mother and then her family's farm. She and Marion moved into the small town of Derby where Flora lived for the next ten years until a fall, and subsequent pneumonia took the life of Marion, her husband and companion for the last fifty-eight years. The seventy-seven year old widow moved in with her brother Charlie Shuck for the next five years until he too died and then, for the first time in her life, Flora found herself living alone.
Still agile, healthy and sharp of mind, Flora may actually have enjoyed this period of time where she had no one to care for but herself. It was during these years that Flora's family threw a large birthday party for her that was reported in the Chariton Patriot on 5 July 1951:
"Mrs. Flora Conner was glad to celebrate her 86th birthday Friday, June 22, with relatives that came to her home in the evening from Chariton. Her daughter, Mrs. Eunice Palmer, and her grandson, Richard Conner, wife and three daughters, Jeanette, Jean Ann and Judith Lee. they came and brought a birthday dinner all ready to serve. Mrs. Conner's friend, Mrs. Ella Evans, spent the day with her in her home."
For a little more then ten years Flora lived on her own in Derby, until her surviving children and grandchildren became concerned about her welfare and convinced her to move into the Beck Nursing Home. This spry old woman of well over ninety years when she moved into the home didn't enjoy being taken care of and probably made life very interesting for the caregivers and attendants who worked there. One of her most vocal complaints was in not being able to open the window in her room to let in fresh air - she had always liked to have a window open, even in the coldest of weather.
Flora lost her battle with death and went to join her husband on 29 June 1963. She had lived nearly one hundred years, raised three children and helped to raise several of her grandchildren. At the time of her death she was the oldest living person in Lucas County. Like her mother before her she had had a resilient spirit, a strong body, a devotion to her God and a deep mother's love for everyone in her family.
Her obituary appeared in the Chariton Patriot 11 July 1963 edition:
"Flora Belle Conner, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Shuck, was born June 22, 1865, in Lucas county, Iowa, and passed away at the Beck Nursing Home June 29, 1963, at the age of 98 years and 1 week.
She was united in marriage to Marion S. Conner at her home near Derby on Oct. 4, 1883, who preceded her in death in 1942.
To this union were born three children, Mrs. Eunice Palmer and two sons, Herbert and Fred. The two sons preceded her in death. She also made a home for two grandsons, Ted and Marion Conner.
She was the oldest and last in her family of five children.
Those surviving besides her daughter, Mrs. Eunice Palmer, are grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great - great - grandchildren. Also Nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
She was a long time member of the Methodist church at Derby where she made her home until it became necessary for her to enter the nursing home.
Services were held Monday, July 1, 1963, at the Miley Chapel with the Rev. Elmer Clark officiating. Interment was in the Derby cemetery, Derby, Iowa."
1870 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her parents and siblings: Eleanor & Merritt; she was attending school - age 9.
1880 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Benton & Warren, Lucas, IA with her parents and siblings: Eleanor, Merrit, Lillie & Charles; she was attending school - age 15.
1900 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian and children: Herbert, Eunice & Fred; she could read and write and is listed as having had 3 children with 3 children living.
1910 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian, son Herbert and his wife Hattie; she could read and write and is listed as having had 3 children with 3 children living.
1920 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian, mother Elizabeth Shuck and grandsons: Theodore and Marian; she could read and write.
1930 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian, mother Elizabeth Shuck and grandson Theodore; her occupation is given as homemaker and she could read and write.
1940 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Derby, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian, brother Charles Shuck and grandson Marian; her highest grade completed is given as the 8th grade and she shows $0 income for 1939.
From my family book 'A Pilgrimage into My Past' - Flora Belle Shuck's Story
Flora was the first born child of Peter and Betty Shuck. She told her descendants that she was a very sickly and weak child, and that the family doctor had warned her parents that she probably wouldn't survive for very long. The doctor was obviously wrong.
By the time Flora was ten years old her mother was working as a practical nurse, leaving her daughter in charge of many of the duties involved in running the household and caring for her younger siblings.
At the same time Flora had a strong desire to learn, did well in school and in 1881, at the age of sixteen, Flora received her teaching certificate from the Lucas County School Board. Years later she enjoyed telling her family that the rules stated that you were supposed to be at least eighteen years old to be certified, but as they never asked her age, she didn't volunteer it. Somewhere in the next two years she attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa for one year. One of her teachers was John L. Lewis who went on to become the head of the United Mine workers Union.
On 4 October 1883 Flora married Marion Conner who had also been born and raised in Derby, Iowa. There can be no doubt that these two families had known each other well over the years, but as to how long Marion courted Flora before they married we can only guess. The young coupled moved into a farm in Warren Twp just outside of Derby. The couple was forced to sell this farm in 1893 when a business venture went bad. They bought a second farm in 1900 (possibly with the financial help of Flora's mother Betty Shuck) and the mortgage for this one was actually in Flora's name.
During the first decade of the marriage Flora and Marion were blessed with three healthy children, one daughter and two sons. Over the next years the families financial situation can almost be measured by the census records that shows their home mortgaged in 1900, free of a mortgage by 1910 and with the mortgage back on in 1920. Life on the farm would have been busy and tiring, but Flora was never one to shirk work and always carried more then her share of the load.
By 1910 all three of her children had married and only her older son Herbert and his wife were living in the Derby farmhouse with them - Herbert helping his father to run the farm. Around 1914 the members of Flora's household went through quite a change as older son Herbert, now working for the railroad, moved his wife and two children to their new home, and younger son Frederick's older two sons, Theodore (Ted) and Marion moved in with their grandparents. And in 1918 Flora's mother Betty Shuck returned from Idaho, where she had been living with Flora's youngest brother, and moved in with Flora and Marion. It is obvious that Flora was the caregiver of the family and that her house was always open for anyone in her family who needed a home.
Over the next several years Flora's grandson Marvin, Herbert's son, came and went several times, living with his grandparents whenever he needed a place to stay. And grandson Theodore continued to live with them until shortly after 1930 when he moved out permanently, later marrying and settling down. By this time Flora and Marion's financial situation was dire, they were penniless, had no cattle, and very little food. The drought had been so severe that Marion had not been able to save his crops for the last two seasons, and without feed he could not raise his cattle. And in addition to the two of them there was still Flora's aged mother Betty to care for. At this point their grandson Marion returned to Derby and spent the next two years trying to help his grandparents save their farm.
In 1932, probably one of the most difficult years of her life, Flora lost her mother and then her family's farm. She and Marion moved into the small town of Derby where Flora lived for the next ten years until a fall, and subsequent pneumonia took the life of Marion, her husband and companion for the last fifty-eight years. The seventy-seven year old widow moved in with her brother Charlie Shuck for the next five years until he too died and then, for the first time in her life, Flora found herself living alone.
Still agile, healthy and sharp of mind, Flora may actually have enjoyed this period of time where she had no one to care for but herself. It was during these years that Flora's family threw a large birthday party for her that was reported in the Chariton Patriot on 5 July 1951:
"Mrs. Flora Conner was glad to celebrate her 86th birthday Friday, June 22, with relatives that came to her home in the evening from Chariton. Her daughter, Mrs. Eunice Palmer, and her grandson, Richard Conner, wife and three daughters, Jeanette, Jean Ann and Judith Lee. they came and brought a birthday dinner all ready to serve. Mrs. Conner's friend, Mrs. Ella Evans, spent the day with her in her home."
For a little more then ten years Flora lived on her own in Derby, until her surviving children and grandchildren became concerned about her welfare and convinced her to move into the Beck Nursing Home. This spry old woman of well over ninety years when she moved into the home didn't enjoy being taken care of and probably made life very interesting for the caregivers and attendants who worked there. One of her most vocal complaints was in not being able to open the window in her room to let in fresh air - she had always liked to have a window open, even in the coldest of weather.
Flora lost her battle with death and went to join her husband on 29 June 1963. She had lived nearly one hundred years, raised three children and helped to raise several of her grandchildren. At the time of her death she was the oldest living person in Lucas County. Like her mother before her she had had a resilient spirit, a strong body, a devotion to her God and a deep mother's love for everyone in her family.
Her obituary appeared in the Chariton Patriot 11 July 1963 edition:
"Flora Belle Conner, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Shuck, was born June 22, 1865, in Lucas county, Iowa, and passed away at the Beck Nursing Home June 29, 1963, at the age of 98 years and 1 week.
She was united in marriage to Marion S. Conner at her home near Derby on Oct. 4, 1883, who preceded her in death in 1942.
To this union were born three children, Mrs. Eunice Palmer and two sons, Herbert and Fred. The two sons preceded her in death. She also made a home for two grandsons, Ted and Marion Conner.
She was the oldest and last in her family of five children.
Those surviving besides her daughter, Mrs. Eunice Palmer, are grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great - great - grandchildren. Also Nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
She was a long time member of the Methodist church at Derby where she made her home until it became necessary for her to enter the nursing home.
Services were held Monday, July 1, 1963, at the Miley Chapel with the Rev. Elmer Clark officiating. Interment was in the Derby cemetery, Derby, Iowa."
About my Great Great Grandmother:
1870 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her parents and siblings: Eleanor & Merritt; she was attending school - age 9.
1880 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Benton & Warren, Lucas, IA with her parents and siblings: Eleanor, Merrit, Lillie & Charles; she was attending school - age 15.
1900 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian and children: Herbert, Eunice & Fred; she could read and write and is listed as having had 3 children with 3 children living.
1910 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian, son Herbert and his wife Hattie; she could read and write and is listed as having had 3 children with 3 children living.
1920 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian, mother Elizabeth Shuck and grandsons: Theodore and Marian; she could read and write.
1930 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian, mother Elizabeth Shuck and grandson Theodore; her occupation is given as homemaker and she could read and write.
1940 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Derby, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian, brother Charles Shuck and grandson Marian; her highest grade completed is given as the 8th grade and she shows $0 income for 1939.
From my family book 'A Pilgrimage into My Past' - Flora Belle Shuck's Story
Flora was the first born child of Peter and Betty Shuck. She told her descendants that she was a very sickly and weak child, and that the family doctor had warned her parents that she probably wouldn't survive for very long. The doctor was obviously wrong.
By the time Flora was ten years old her mother was working as a practical nurse, leaving her daughter in charge of many of the duties involved in running the household and caring for her younger siblings.
At the same time Flora had a strong desire to learn, did well in school and in 1881, at the age of sixteen, Flora received her teaching certificate from the Lucas County School Board. Years later she enjoyed telling her family that the rules stated that you were supposed to be at least eighteen years old to be certified, but as they never asked her age, she didn't volunteer it. Somewhere in the next two years she attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa for one year. One of her teachers was John L. Lewis who went on to become the head of the United Mine workers Union.
On 4 October 1883 Flora married Marion Conner who had also been born and raised in Derby, Iowa. There can be no doubt that these two families had known each other well over the years, but as to how long Marion courted Flora before they married we can only guess. The young coupled moved into a farm in Warren Twp just outside of Derby. The couple was forced to sell this farm in 1893 when a business venture went bad. They bought a second farm in 1900 (possibly with the financial help of Flora's mother Betty Shuck) and the mortgage for this one was actually in Flora's name.
During the first decade of the marriage Flora and Marion were blessed with three healthy children, one daughter and two sons. Over the next years the families financial situation can almost be measured by the census records that shows their home mortgaged in 1900, free of a mortgage by 1910 and with the mortgage back on in 1920. Life on the farm would have been busy and tiring, but Flora was never one to shirk work and always carried more then her share of the load.
By 1910 all three of her children had married and only her older son Herbert and his wife were living in the Derby farmhouse with them - Herbert helping his father to run the farm. Around 1914 the members of Flora's household went through quite a change as older son Herbert, now working for the railroad, moved his wife and two children to their new home, and younger son Frederick's older two sons, Theodore (Ted) and Marion moved in with their grandparents. And in 1918 Flora's mother Betty Shuck returned from Idaho, where she had been living with Flora's youngest brother, and moved in with Flora and Marion. It is obvious that Flora was the caregiver of the family and that her house was always open for anyone in her family who needed a home.
Over the next several years Flora's grandson Marvin, Herbert's son, came and went several times, living with his grandparents whenever he needed a place to stay. And grandson Theodore continued to live with them until shortly after 1930 when he moved out permanently, later marrying and settling down. By this time Flora and Marion's financial situation was dire, they were penniless, had no cattle, and very little food. The drought had been so severe that Marion had not been able to save his crops for the last two seasons, and without feed he could not raise his cattle. And in addition to the two of them there was still Flora's aged mother Betty to care for. At this point their grandson Marion returned to Derby and spent the next two years trying to help his grandparents save their farm.
In 1932, probably one of the most difficult years of her life, Flora lost her mother and then her family's farm. She and Marion moved into the small town of Derby where Flora lived for the next ten years until a fall, and subsequent pneumonia took the life of Marion, her husband and companion for the last fifty-eight years. The seventy-seven year old widow moved in with her brother Charlie Shuck for the next five years until he too died and then, for the first time in her life, Flora found herself living alone.
Still agile, healthy and sharp of mind, Flora may actually have enjoyed this period of time where she had no one to care for but herself. It was during these years that Flora's family threw a large birthday party for her that was reported in the Chariton Patriot on 5 July 1951:
"Mrs. Flora Conner was glad to celebrate her 86th birthday Friday, June 22, with relatives that came to her home in the evening from Chariton. Her daughter, Mrs. Eunice Palmer, and her grandson, Richard Conner, wife and three daughters, Jeanette, Jean Ann and Judith Lee. they came and brought a birthday dinner all ready to serve. Mrs. Conner's friend, Mrs. Ella Evans, spent the day with her in her home."
For a little more then ten years Flora lived on her own in Derby, until her surviving children and grandchildren became concerned about her welfare and convinced her to move into the Beck Nursing Home. This spry old woman of well over ninety years when she moved into the home didn't enjoy being taken care of and probably made life very interesting for the caregivers and attendants who worked there. One of her most vocal complaints was in not being able to open the window in her room to let in fresh air - she had always liked to have a window open, even in the coldest of weather.
Flora lost her battle with death and went to join her husband on 29 June 1963. She had lived nearly one hundred years, raised three children and helped to raise several of her grandchildren. At the time of her death she was the oldest living person in Lucas County. Like her mother before her she had had a resilient spirit, a strong body, a devotion to her God and a deep mother's love for everyone in her family.
Her obituary appeared in the Chariton Patriot 11 July 1963 edition:
"Flora Belle Conner, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Shuck, was born June 22, 1865, in Lucas county, Iowa, and passed away at the Beck Nursing Home June 29, 1963, at the age of 98 years and 1 week.
She was united in marriage to Marion S. Conner at her home near Derby on Oct. 4, 1883, who preceded her in death in 1942.
To this union were born three children, Mrs. Eunice Palmer and two sons, Herbert and Fred. The two sons preceded her in death. She also made a home for two grandsons, Ted and Marion Conner.
She was the oldest and last in her family of five children.
Those surviving besides her daughter, Mrs. Eunice Palmer, are grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great - great - grandchildren. Also Nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
She was a long time member of the Methodist church at Derby where she made her home until it became necessary for her to enter the nursing home.
Services were held Monday, July 1, 1963, at the Miley Chapel with the Rev. Elmer Clark officiating. Interment was in the Derby cemetery, Derby, Iowa."
1870 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her parents and siblings: Eleanor & Merritt; she was attending school - age 9.
1880 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Benton & Warren, Lucas, IA with her parents and siblings: Eleanor, Merrit, Lillie & Charles; she was attending school - age 15.
1900 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian and children: Herbert, Eunice & Fred; she could read and write and is listed as having had 3 children with 3 children living.
1910 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian, son Herbert and his wife Hattie; she could read and write and is listed as having had 3 children with 3 children living.
1920 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian, mother Elizabeth Shuck and grandsons: Theodore and Marian; she could read and write.
1930 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Warren, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian, mother Elizabeth Shuck and grandson Theodore; her occupation is given as homemaker and she could read and write.
1940 US Federal Census
Flora was living in Derby, Lucas, IA with her husband Marian, brother Charles Shuck and grandson Marian; her highest grade completed is given as the 8th grade and she shows $0 income for 1939.
From my family book 'A Pilgrimage into My Past' - Flora Belle Shuck's Story
Flora was the first born child of Peter and Betty Shuck. She told her descendants that she was a very sickly and weak child, and that the family doctor had warned her parents that she probably wouldn't survive for very long. The doctor was obviously wrong.
By the time Flora was ten years old her mother was working as a practical nurse, leaving her daughter in charge of many of the duties involved in running the household and caring for her younger siblings.
At the same time Flora had a strong desire to learn, did well in school and in 1881, at the age of sixteen, Flora received her teaching certificate from the Lucas County School Board. Years later she enjoyed telling her family that the rules stated that you were supposed to be at least eighteen years old to be certified, but as they never asked her age, she didn't volunteer it. Somewhere in the next two years she attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa for one year. One of her teachers was John L. Lewis who went on to become the head of the United Mine workers Union.
On 4 October 1883 Flora married Marion Conner who had also been born and raised in Derby, Iowa. There can be no doubt that these two families had known each other well over the years, but as to how long Marion courted Flora before they married we can only guess. The young coupled moved into a farm in Warren Twp just outside of Derby. The couple was forced to sell this farm in 1893 when a business venture went bad. They bought a second farm in 1900 (possibly with the financial help of Flora's mother Betty Shuck) and the mortgage for this one was actually in Flora's name.
During the first decade of the marriage Flora and Marion were blessed with three healthy children, one daughter and two sons. Over the next years the families financial situation can almost be measured by the census records that shows their home mortgaged in 1900, free of a mortgage by 1910 and with the mortgage back on in 1920. Life on the farm would have been busy and tiring, but Flora was never one to shirk work and always carried more then her share of the load.
By 1910 all three of her children had married and only her older son Herbert and his wife were living in the Derby farmhouse with them - Herbert helping his father to run the farm. Around 1914 the members of Flora's household went through quite a change as older son Herbert, now working for the railroad, moved his wife and two children to their new home, and younger son Frederick's older two sons, Theodore (Ted) and Marion moved in with their grandparents. And in 1918 Flora's mother Betty Shuck returned from Idaho, where she had been living with Flora's youngest brother, and moved in with Flora and Marion. It is obvious that Flora was the caregiver of the family and that her house was always open for anyone in her family who needed a home.
Over the next several years Flora's grandson Marvin, Herbert's son, came and went several times, living with his grandparents whenever he needed a place to stay. And grandson Theodore continued to live with them until shortly after 1930 when he moved out permanently, later marrying and settling down. By this time Flora and Marion's financial situation was dire, they were penniless, had no cattle, and very little food. The drought had been so severe that Marion had not been able to save his crops for the last two seasons, and without feed he could not raise his cattle. And in addition to the two of them there was still Flora's aged mother Betty to care for. At this point their grandson Marion returned to Derby and spent the next two years trying to help his grandparents save their farm.
In 1932, probably one of the most difficult years of her life, Flora lost her mother and then her family's farm. She and Marion moved into the small town of Derby where Flora lived for the next ten years until a fall, and subsequent pneumonia took the life of Marion, her husband and companion for the last fifty-eight years. The seventy-seven year old widow moved in with her brother Charlie Shuck for the next five years until he too died and then, for the first time in her life, Flora found herself living alone.
Still agile, healthy and sharp of mind, Flora may actually have enjoyed this period of time where she had no one to care for but herself. It was during these years that Flora's family threw a large birthday party for her that was reported in the Chariton Patriot on 5 July 1951:
"Mrs. Flora Conner was glad to celebrate her 86th birthday Friday, June 22, with relatives that came to her home in the evening from Chariton. Her daughter, Mrs. Eunice Palmer, and her grandson, Richard Conner, wife and three daughters, Jeanette, Jean Ann and Judith Lee. they came and brought a birthday dinner all ready to serve. Mrs. Conner's friend, Mrs. Ella Evans, spent the day with her in her home."
For a little more then ten years Flora lived on her own in Derby, until her surviving children and grandchildren became concerned about her welfare and convinced her to move into the Beck Nursing Home. This spry old woman of well over ninety years when she moved into the home didn't enjoy being taken care of and probably made life very interesting for the caregivers and attendants who worked there. One of her most vocal complaints was in not being able to open the window in her room to let in fresh air - she had always liked to have a window open, even in the coldest of weather.
Flora lost her battle with death and went to join her husband on 29 June 1963. She had lived nearly one hundred years, raised three children and helped to raise several of her grandchildren. At the time of her death she was the oldest living person in Lucas County. Like her mother before her she had had a resilient spirit, a strong body, a devotion to her God and a deep mother's love for everyone in her family.
Her obituary appeared in the Chariton Patriot 11 July 1963 edition:
"Flora Belle Conner, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Shuck, was born June 22, 1865, in Lucas county, Iowa, and passed away at the Beck Nursing Home June 29, 1963, at the age of 98 years and 1 week.
She was united in marriage to Marion S. Conner at her home near Derby on Oct. 4, 1883, who preceded her in death in 1942.
To this union were born three children, Mrs. Eunice Palmer and two sons, Herbert and Fred. The two sons preceded her in death. She also made a home for two grandsons, Ted and Marion Conner.
She was the oldest and last in her family of five children.
Those surviving besides her daughter, Mrs. Eunice Palmer, are grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great - great - grandchildren. Also Nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
She was a long time member of the Methodist church at Derby where she made her home until it became necessary for her to enter the nursing home.
Services were held Monday, July 1, 1963, at the Miley Chapel with the Rev. Elmer Clark officiating. Interment was in the Derby cemetery, Derby, Iowa."
