Florence Elizabeth Oelkers (Theis), 81, of South Hutchinson, died Sunday, July 28, 2013, at Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood, Minn. Florence was the daughter of Bernard Matthew and Anna Marie (Keiter) Theis. She was born June 3, 1932, in Nashville, Kan.

She grew up on the family farm until they moved to Kingman, Kan., and graduated from Kingman High School in 1950.

She married Harold "Ole" Gene Oelkers on April 7, 1951, at St. Teresa's Catholic Church rectory, Hutchinson, Kan. He died Jan. 9, 2013.

They moved to Coffeyville in 1961, where they raised their four children on the family farm until moving back to South Hutchinson in 1981. She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Harvest House, and was a past president and member of the Altar Society. She loved bowling and belonged to three leagues and traveled to many National Bowling Association conferences. Florence had breakfast every Tuesday with the members of Telephone Pioneers and was on the American Legion Women's Auxiliary Unit #68. While her children were in school, she was very active in PTA and was the president on several occasions. Every year she loved to work at the Kansas State Fair. Florence was a special woman, full of love, which she devoted to her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She especially cherished the time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always ready to give and receive hugs and kisses.

Florence is survived by: her four children, Dana and wife Susan Oelkers of Glenwood, Minn., Alana Oelkers of South Hutchinson, Jana Oelkers and Darin Oelkers, both of Wichita, Kan.; grandchildren, Brian Oelkers and wife Lahonna, David Oelkers and wife Kassandra, and Nicole Oelkers; great-grandchildren, Caleb, Mallory, Cadence, Harley, Brayden and Gabriel; and sisters, Helen Salter of Hutchinson, and Darlene Becker of Isabel, Kan. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Bernard "Ben", Roman and Robert; and sister, Mildred.

A parish rosary will be 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, and a Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 2, 2013, all at Our Lady of Guadalupe, South Hutchinson, with the Revs. Ned Blick and Nicholas Voelker presiding. Burial will follow in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Family will receive friends after the rosary at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church on Thursday evening.

Memorial contributions may be made to National Shrine of Our Lady of The Snows or National Fibromyalgia Association, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson KS 67501.