Florence Zaun, age 91, passed away at SMP Health-St. Raphael (formerly Sheyenne Care Center) in Valley City, ND on December 26, 2021.  A Mass will be celebrated at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Valley City on Friday, December 31st at 2:00 PM for this most amazing faithful servant of God.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 30th from 5:00-7:00 PM, with the prayer service at 7:00 PM at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church.

Florence Angeline (Lange) Zaun was born to George and Josephine (Pflipsen) Lange on August 3, 1930.   They lived on a farm until she was five years old, at which time they moved to Garrison, North Dakota. Florence started first grade at St. Nicholas School in Garrison. She, also, attended school in Turtle Lake, North Dakota for a couple of years. In 1941 the family moved to Valley City, North Dakota where she attended St. Catherine’s School and graduated from there in 1948. She began as a bookkeeper at the Barnes County Creamery following graduation (Because her Dad told her he had found a job for her!), working full time until 1954 and then part time for another five years. She, also, worked part time for Community Credit Union for two years.

Florence was united in marriage to Melvin Zaun on November 6th, 1954 at St. Catherine’s Church in Valley City.  They moved to a farm northeast of Valley City in April of 1955, living and farming there until October of 1963. A short relocation was made to Seattle, Washington, but lasted only briefly and a return was made to Valley City to live in town. Starting in the year of 1955 and ending in 1966, six children were born into this union. In 1967, a move was made to Carrington, North Dakota where they resided until 1982. Florence and Melvin, also lived in Lisbon, Beulah and Harvey after 1982 and then moving back to Carrington to purchase and run the Hi-Way Drive In. They did this until selling it in 1994 and moving back to Valley City to retire.

Florence played softball for several years with the Valley City Community Fast Pitch Softball Team and was on the team when they were state champions in 1951. She was, also, an avid bowler with women’s leagues in Valley City and in 1954, bowled the first 600 series in the league. Florence was active in church and civic affairs throughout her years and wherever they lived. She was a youth leader for the Foster County Farmers Union, was C.C.D. teacher and principal for many years at Sacred Heart Church in Carrington, organized and coached junior league bowling for ten years in Carrington, was an instrumental board member when a new youth center and theater was opened in Carrington, was crusade chairman for the American Cancer Society in Foster County for many years, held many offices in the Sacred Heart Altar Society, was the bookkeeper for Sacred Heart Church, was a member of the Diocesan Cardinal Muench Seminary and on the Diocesan Educational Board. Florence loved to visit homebound people, helping them with whatever she could and was the welcoming committee for new people moving into a community, bearing the gift of homemade lemon poppyseed bread.

Florence is survived by her 6 children, Terri (Steve) LeGrand, Valley City, ND, Vicki (Glen Horner) Stevens, Bismarck, ND, Jean (Roland) Svartoien, Freeman, SD, Steve (Deb) Zaun, Rice Lake, ND, Gayle (Rick) Hoots, Dodge, ND and James (Christine) Zaun, Burlington, ND. She was also Grandma to several (60+) grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.  Florence was preceded in death by her husband, parents and all five of her siblings. There is an eternal family reunion being held right now in Heaven! She was ready to be with her loved ones from the past once again.

The Lerud Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City is assisting Florence’s family with arrangements.  The funeral mass will be livestreamed then archived along with her obituary, which can be found on her tribute page at www.lerudschuldt.com.  There is also an online guestbook available.