Florence Marie Frette

She was born on Valentine's Day February 14, 1923, in Buffalo Center, IA. to Ole John Frette and Martha May Miner Frette. Baby sister, Willa May, came along in 1927 and she was crazy about her! They would always be known as the 'Frette Girls'. In 1910 Ole, age 15, swam the ocean with his suitcase in one hand, from Norway to New York City.

Eventually, they settled in the rural area of Indianola where she went to grade school and acted as secretary at Farmers Chapel Church. Read the minutes and counted the money. Her daddy worked with her in the evenings on spelling, arithmetic, and running.

She was a smart little girl. Her teachers put her ahead of two grades. Later, she attended Runnells High School and then graduated from North High School at age 16. After graduation, she worked as a detective (really) at Private Detective Works but wasn't making much money (saving for college) so worked at Rollin's Hosiery Mill.

On October 18, 1940, she married Wilson Ferguson. They were so much in love. Home would be a wonderful farm west of Runnells. They were happy for years but then circumstances sidelined their marriage and she divorced in 1953.

After divorcing, she moved 'her girls' to Caulder Ave. on the Southside of Des Moines. A great neighborhood to grow up in! Then, A.I.B. started secretarial work at prestigious law firm downtown. During 1953-1963 Mom took evening classes at Drake University, earning a Masters in Public Relations which she used at Engman Industries and Weston Co. then P.R. Director for the State Library of Iowa (13 yrs). When her position was defunded, she went on a sabbatical to Carmel by the Sea, CA. She fell in love with the Village and the Pacific Coast. Everyone smiled at her, even the dogs!

After her Mother passed in 1982, Mom returned to Carmel to live for 23 years. She came back to visit family a couple of months a year. Carmel called to her Soul. She freelanced her P.R. and took many classes at The Foundation such as photography and art. She attended the Unitarian Church in Monterey and Bill Little's church in Pacific Grove..was P.R. Consultant for Central Pacific Coast for the 'World Beyond War movement. She studied New Age Philosophy and painted at Big Sur.

She came home in 1993 to be with Pam who was very ill. Our beautiful Pammy passed in 1994. Mom had the blessing of being by her side and Pam blew her a kiss before closing her eyes. This was Mom's strongest heartache. She went 'home' to Carmel to heal.

During an art class, she met John Patterson who became the 'love of her life' and they were a couple for 8 years until his death in 2004.

Mom returned to Des Moines and the condo at 3100 Grand, enjoying a full life with great friends. Plays, jazz in July, art classes at Drake, and fully immerses herself in The Unitarian Church and its great classes. She had many art showings. Went all out into abstract paintings in her early 90s. Mom was part of Talent Limited for over 40 years and part of the Unitarian Church for 50 years.

Friends and family made her world go round. She was a mentor to some of her younger friends. She loved her 500 'best friends' from Des Moines to Carmel..and they loved her back! Her friend, Mary, worked with her on creating an autobiography which was a huge hit!

In going through her little silver billfold, I found a slip of paper she had written on. I don't know if she copied this or if it was original. 'I have a million nightingales sitting on the branches of my heart and they are singing.. Freedom..Freedom..Freedom'

Those who've gone on ahead: Parents Ole and Martha, daughter Pam, her sister Willi Ware and John Patterson.

Those still here: Linda Rae Kenworthy..treasured grandchildren April Lin Stephens, Dan Kenworthy, and Brad Cochran. Greats: Amber Anderson, Brandy Hahn, and Jordan Ogden Great-Greats: Camarin, Toby, Iain, Cayden, Ellis, Payton, Brady, Jacob, and Owen. Well-loved nieces Martha (Marty) Lou Ohrt and Janis Ware.

Celebration of Life: Unitarian Church at 1800 Bell Ave. in Des Moines. Saturday, July 8, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, Light refreshments.

Memorials donations: Mail to Iowa Diabetes Research @ 1031 Office Park Rd, Ste. 2, WDM, IA 50265

In remembrance of Florence Frette