Florence Forney, 86, of Bellwood, Nebraska, died Sunday, July 9, 2017, at her home near Bellwood.

A Mass of Christian is set for 10 a.m. Friday, July 14, at St. Peters Catholic Church in Bellwood with Father Ben Holdren celebrating the Mass. Interment will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery, rural Bellwood. Visitation is 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the church with a vigil service at 7 P.M. Visitation will continue Friday from 9 to 10 a.m. at the church.

Florence was born November 7, 1930, in Bellwood, Nebraska, to Henry and Rose (Schrier) Smith. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bellwood. She attended school in Bellwood through the 9th grade, then went to St. Bonaventure Catholic School in Columbus before going to David City Public School where she graduated from in 1947. Florence then went to Midland College and earned a three year rural teaching certificate and taught schools in Butler and Polk Counties in Nebraska.

On August 30, 1950, Florence was united in marriage to John H. Forney at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Bellwood, NE. The couple lived in Butler County, David City, Columbus and Bellwood. She taught schools, was a homemaker, helped her husband with grain trucking and as corn shelling operator. Florence was employed in the cafeteria and shop at Behlen Manufacturing and Douglas-Lomason Mfg. She also worked at Torin Manufacturing.

She was a 4-H leader, belonged to St. Peters Alter Society also helped with making quilts, a member of Victory Valley Extension Club and Steam & Gas Antique Engine Club, and helped in voting poles. She loved to garden, sew, cook, bake, and can foods. She raised and loved her 9 children, and also enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Florence is survived by 3 daughters and 6 sons: Rose (Don) Primus, Surprise; William (Pam) Forney, Columbus; Benjamin (Gayle) Forney, Bellwood; Russell (Linda) Forney, Richland; Matt (Bonnie) Forney, Bellwood; Angela London, Lincoln; Olivia (Roger) Remmer, Duncan Lakes, Columbus; Edward (Abbi) Forney, Bloomington, Minn.; Shawn Forney, Bellwood; 45 grandchildren; 16 step grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; 30 step great grandchildren; 4 step great great grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren on the way.

Brother Orval Smith, David City; niece Judy Smith, Columbus; nieces and nephews.

Florence was preceded in death by her husband John H. Forney; parents Henry and Rose Smith; granddaughter Julie Emma Forney; grandson Don Einsphar; sons-in-law: Larry Einsphar, Damon London, and Robert Forney; sisters-in-law: Mary Ann Smith, Irene Churchill, and Iris Homolka; nephew: Ronald Merle Smith.

Condolences may be sent to www.gasshaney.com.

Published in the David City Banner-Press on July 10, 2017.