Ila Mae Florey

Ila Mae Florey, age 86, of Clark, died early Tuesday morning, January 7, 2025, at Avantara Clark.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 13, 2025, at 2:00 PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Clark with a visitation one hour prior to the funeral. Burial will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery with a lunch to follow at the church basement.

Ila Mae Florey was born in Clark on August 24, 1938, to parents John and Rose (Petersen) Christensen. She joined a sister, Maxine, at home.  She grew up on the family farm north of Clark and was a member of the Crocker Lutheran Church and graduated from Thorp School.  She became fond of the bus driver, Fay Florey, but her mother told her she couldn't get married until after she turned 18.  Two days after her eighteenth birthday, Fay and Ila Mae were married in the Crocker church in 1956.

They farmed north of Clark most of their lives.  While raising their five children, Michael, Robin, Dawn, David and Paul, she worked side by side with Fay on the farm.  She ran farm machinery, including hauling many loads of silage, countless loads of square bales, and also tending to her beautiful flower gardens. She truly enjoyed the farm life and being outdoors.

Ila Mae was a longtime member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church and was active in the WELCA and circle groups. Fay and Ila Mae were avid square dancers mainly going to dances in Webster and Clark. She was her children's and grandchildren's biggest fan!  She attended many of their sporting events and was not shy with her cheering and clapping.

Preceding her in death were her parents, John and Rose, her sister, Maxine (Francis) Florey, a son-in-law, David Schweitzer, and a daughter-in-law, Linda Florey.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband of 68 years, Fay of Clark, her children, Michael (Melody) Florey of Watertown, Robin Schweitzer of Clark, Dawn (Bryon) Stee of Watertown, David (Dawn) Florey of Sioux Falls, and Paul (Kris) Florey of Clark, grandchildren, Sara Florey, John (Londa) Florey, Josh (Kaitlyn) Florey, Shawn Schweitzer, Melissa (Josiah) Christoffer, Dan (Emily) Stee, Brianna (Alek) Kooima, Brandon (Rena Nietfeld) Florey, Gannon (Lindsey) Florey, Rhett Florey,  Raegan (Jess) Karber, and Grayson Florey, and twenty-one great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Clark, Rose Hill Cemetery Assoc., the Clark Area Baseball Assoc., the Clark Community Aquatic Center, or a charity of your choice in her memory.

Furness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.