The funeral Mass for Florence Marie Koelsch will be at 1:00pm on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Simpson with Rev. Paul Nelson officiating.  Burial will be in St. Bridget's Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:30pm to 8:00pm on Monday evening at River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home and 1 hour prior to the service at St. Bridget's Catholic Church.

Mrs. Koelsch, 88, of Rochester passed away on April 17, 2014 at Madonna Towers in Rochester.

Florence was the daughter of Francis W. Brennan and Rose Ellen (Judge) Brennan.  She was a descendant of early pioneer families of Olmsted and Fillmore Counties.  She was born at St. Marys Hospital on October 15, 1925.  She lived in Rochester where her father owned and operated the Handy Store.  In August 1935 the family moved to their farm near Simpson.  She graduated from district 82 in 1939.  She graduated from Rochester High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society in 1943.  She started working as an accountant and office manager when she was a senior in high school at Jay Brother's Packard.  Then she worked in the same capacity at Reynolds Wholesale.  She resigned January 1, 1946 to marry Kenneth R. Koelsch at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, where her husband was stationed in the Army.  In January 1948, they purchased and moved to a farm near Simpson where she was an active member of St. Bridget's Catholic Church.  They moved to Rochester in 1959.  She was a member of St. Pius Church until her move in 1979, when she became a member of Pax Christi.  Until 1979 she was active in her parish.  She was always active and involved in the children's education and activities.  In 1993 she moved to Real Life where she served as a board member.  When she was 69, she become ACBL certified director.  She was an avid reader, bird watcher, nature lover and very interested in politics and genealogy.  She loved spending time with family and friends.

She is survived by her children John (Ruthie), Rosemary (Mike Hanson), Cynthia (Peter Ward), Thomas (Karen), Alice and Carol (Dan Fellows); 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; her daughter in law Kathy Koelsch; brothers Gerald W. Brennan (Anita) and John M. Brennan (Ardie) and sister Jean (Bill Walker); and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her husband Ken in 1982; her son Gregory; her brother Francis P. in 1996; her sister Margaret (Milo Mach) and her parents.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Bridget's Cemetery Association, Pax Christi youth activities or the Olmsted Medical Center.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.  Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com