In Memory of

Florence

Mary

Rischmiller

(John)

Obituary for Florence Mary Rischmiller (John)

Florence Mary (John) Rischmiller was born November 7, 1934 to Stanley and Anna John in Little Elk Township, MN. She grew up in Browerville, MN, with her parents and eight brothers, all of whom married and finally gave Florence the sisters she wanted: Roman and Alice, Edward and Lorraine, Ervin and Sally, Victor and Margie, Eugene and Diane, Jerry and Katie, Rudy and Marlene, Dennis and Lou. The family grew as over fifty nieces and nephews were added to the clan. Florence graduated from high school and entered nursing school in St. Paul.
She met Donald at a dance in 1953. They soon married and had their first child, Debra Jean. Over the next ten years they had seven more children, Richard Robert, David Thomas, Catherine Ann, John Paul, Nancy Ann, Teri Joann and Connie May. Soon those children married and Florence gained more blessings. Dan, Tammy, Sally, Craig, Randy, Steve and Chandy joined the family. Don worked as a school custodian and Florence held part-time waitress positions at several restaurants. When they both retired in 1984 they traveled around the country, spending time in Hawaii, Canada, Texas, California, Vegas and more. When Don’s health started to decline they spent more time at home. Don passed in 2006, and with her family and friends at her side, Florence began the next phase of her life.
One of Florene’s greatest joys was her grandchildren. Jeff, Jenny, Steven, Jamie, Mike, Ryan, Aundrea, Monica, Shaila, Ben, Rachel, Joe, Karen, Steven, Nikita, Nina, Kate, Scott, Tony and Rasiney. In addition to those twenty grandchildren, there were twenty-three great-grandchildren to follow. Jacob, Jay, Asher, Kate, Jon, Emily, Scarlett, Sophia, Stella, Allen, Luke, Charlie, Abby, Sarah, David, Austin, Lillian, Braedyn, Parker, Macie, Olivia, Hunter and Jaelynn. She was so blessed to have all of these children in her life.
Florence was very involved at Nativity of Mary Church in Bloomington. She was on many of their committees including the flower and environmental/Green Angels committee as well as a member of the St. Teresa Circle. She became a Eucharistic Minister and attended mass daily, followed by coffee with her friends. The church and her friends were a very large part of Florence’s life and she embraced them as she did life itself, with open arms and kind words. Whether picking up friends who needed rides, baking for the church events, or accepting help when she needed it, Florence was always part of a very special group who helped each other through all of life’s events.
Florence was always a vital, feisty, woman who loved to grow flowers, take trips, go on outings with her friends, and it was difficult in 2017 when her health began to fail. She had cancer, sepsis shock, lymphedema and congestive heart failure. It was a tough year of learning new limitations and struggles. On Friday, December 29th Florence passed away and is now with her Heavenly Father and Savior.
She is preceded by her husband, Don, daughter Debra, son David and granddaughter Erin. She is survived by children and spouses Dan, Richard and Tammy, Sally, Cathy, John, Nancy and Randy, Teri and Steve, Connie and Chandy, plus twenty grandchildren and twenty-three great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all her many family and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 12, 2018 at the Church of the Nativity of Mary, 9900 Lyndale Avenue South, Bloomington. Visitation, Thursday, January 11th from 4:30 -7:30p.m, at Gill Brothers Funeral Home, 9947 Lyndale Ave. S., Bloomington with prayer service at 5:30. Visitation also one hour prior to mass at Church.

Finally, we leave you with what Florence wrote in the 2000 John Reunion book:
The one thing I have to say to all of you is that it matters not who you are – what your title – where you have traveled – or how much you own. You have nothing unless you have a true and deep relationship with God and the love of your family.
I feel I am one of the most blessed people on earth—for this I thank you all. It is not only the love of Don, our children, children-in-law and grandchildren, but each and every one of you that has made my life so good.
Love and prayers to you all!
Florence