Florine J. Prusak

Florine grew up in Chisholm, MN, the youngest of 13 children born to John and Sophie Prusak. She graduated from Chisholm High School, attended Hibbing Community College for two years before graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Physical Therapy. Flo was part of the University’s first graduating class of Physical Therapists (previously, men only) that included women---there were 3 of them! Upon graduation, Flo’s first job was with the Mayo Clinic before moving on to a polio clinic for children in Lincoln, Nebraska. Then it was on to Kansas City, MO, before finally returning to St. Paul, working many years at United Hospital from which she retired in 1990. After retirement, Flo continued to be active in physical therapy, volunteering at the hospital and various clinics for several years.

Flo loved the outdoors and was an avid swimmer, cross country skier, walker, and biker. With her sister, she enjoyed berry-picking at the family cabins near Chisholm, gardening, tending her indoor plants, ceramics, and watching sports on t.v.

Giving up driving was a difficult decision for her, but because of the location of her residence, she was able to walk (and often she did) to Walgreen's, Kowalski’s, the library, and even the YMCA.

Florine was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Leon, Leonard, John, Stanley, Edmund, Edward, Bernard, Helen, Katherine, Winifred, and Bernadine. She is survived by her remaining sister, Cecelia Connors, sister-in-law Evelyn Prusak, and several nieces, nephews, their families, along with the wonderful staff and residents at StoneCrest of Woodbury.

God bless the memory of Flo Prusak.