Florence "Pat" Katherine Stelzer

Florence (Pat) Katherine Stelzer, 100 years old, was born October 6th, 1924, in Guymon, Oklahoma to Walther and Dorothea (nee Balke) Stelzer. She was reborn in Holy Baptism just a few weeks later. Her favorite Bible verse is John 19:30a “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.”

Pat lived in Brazilton, Kansas and after high school she attended St. John’s Lutheran College in Winfield, Kansas. She then pursued and received both BSN and MSN Degrees through studies in New York City where she also worked for 8 years as an operating room nurse.

She then moved from New York City to St. Louis to be near family. Her decades of nursing in St Louis included Program Coordinator for the Visiting Nurses Association, Teacher of Nursing and Community Health at St. Louis University School of Nursing, and patient care at Cardinal Glennon Hospital and Barnes Hospital. She was also active in Nurses Christian Fellowship.

For decades Aunt Pat faithfully received God’s gifts of forgiveness and life in His Word and Sacrament at Reformation Lutheran Church in Afton, Missouri. She was active in service organizations and outreach at Reformation. Her loves included ongoing learning and teaching her students, serving those in her congregation, care for her aging parents, assisting friends with special needs, providing loving guidance and support for nieces and nephews, and enjoying her flowers and cats. Since moving to Waco to live with her sister Lois, she has confessed the faith as a member of Trinity and St. Mark Lutheran Church.

Florence was preceded in death by her siblings Elmer Stelzer (Therese) of Houston, Texas, Bernard Stelzer (Vivian) of Collinsville, Illinois, and her sister Lois Toups (Randall) of Waco.

Her baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6) was completed on Sept. 24th as her Lord called her home to be with Him. Her body now awaits its raising at the return of her risen and ascended Lord, Jesus Christ.

Her family is very thankful for the pastoral care and congregational love she received at St Mark Lutheran Church and invites memorials to be given to St. Mark Lutheran Church.