Geraldine Florence, 90, longtime Velva resident, died Tuesday, September 8, 2020 in a Minot Hospital.

Geraldine was born August 18, 1930 at Tracy, Minnesota, the daughter of Oliver and Mildred (Gullickson) Heggerston. She was raised and educated at Sacred Heart High School in 1948. She attended St. Olaf College for one year, prior to graduating with honors from the University of Minnesota in 1951.

Geraldine was united in marriage to Gerald "Jerry" Florence on September 16, 1951 at Sacred Heart, Minnesota. She was employed in the St. Paul Public School system as a dental hygienist. Following Gerald's graduation from dental school, they lived in Minot for 1.5 years prior to establishing a dental practice in Velva in 1954. Her family participated in a World Brotherhood Exchange to Madagascar where Jerry did dental work from July 1968 until February of 1969.

Along with raising their five children, she was employed at her husband's dental practice for 12 years until retiring in 1990. Gerald died February 11, 2018.

Her hobbies and interests included: scrapbooking for grandchildren, gardening, especially her flowers, reading, doing volunteer work in Velva and traveling with Gerald and family. She was a longtime member of Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva.

Her loving family includes : daughters: Julaine Florence, St Louis, MO, Kari Ann (Paul) Dunderland, Bottineau, ND, Mary Lynn (Mark) Berntson, Grand Forks, ND and Sara Jane Anderson, Beaver Lake Dam, WI; daughter in law, Kristin Florence (Tom) Bodine, Velva; grandchildren, Benjamin, Aaron, Hannah, Chelsie, Michael, Nathan, Kayla, Jordan, Rebecca, Bryce, Greta and Gage; great grandchildren, Oliver, Evelyn, Gretchen, Bode, Bridger, Rebecca and Lucas; brother,  Jerome (Alicia) Heggerston, Arizona and sister in law, Inez Heggerston, Emerado, MN; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 66 years, Gerald; son, Jon and her brother, Edsel.

Private Family Graveside Service : Saturday, September 12, 2020 in the Velva Community Cemetery.

Public Visitation : In observance of COVID restrictions, the family recommends you follow ND Health distancing guidelines on Saturday, September 12, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva.

Memorials are preferred to Metigoshe Ministries or Global Health Ministries at 7831 Hickory St. NE-Minneapolis, MN 55432.

Geraldine Florence Flowers